Matthieu Blazy’s Debut SS26 Collection Redefines the Chanel Woman
Matthieu Blazy, the newly appointed creative director for Chanel, unveiled his Spring/Summer 2026 collection at Paris Fashion Week, marking a transformative moment for the French luxury house. The collection paid homage to Gabrielle Chanel’s timeless codes while ushering in a lighter, more liberated aesthetic.Menswear-inspired silhouettes—crisp shirts, tailored trousers, and structured outerwear—were softened by hand-finished detailing and subtle romantic touches. Classic Chanel signatures like tweeds and camellias were reimagined with fresh textures, resulting in an elegant dialogue between structure and fluidity. The finale, featuring feather-trimmed gowns and sheer embroidered knits, captured a spirit of modern femininity and joyful reinvention.
Loewe SS26: A New Era Under Proenza Schouler’s Vision
The creative duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler made their highly anticipated debut as Loewe’s creative directors. Their Spring/Summer 2026 collection was a masterful blend of heritage and innovation, spotlighting Loewe’s Spanish DNA through a sunlit palette and playful, surreal designs.Craftsmanship remained central, with an emphasis on leather mini-dresses, structured blazers, and Flamenco-inspired maxi dresses. The duo introduced asymmetrical silhouettes and buoyant ruffles that moved with kinetic energy, celebrating both Loewe’s artisanal past and its vibrant creative future.
Balenciaga SS26: Piccioli’s Tribute to the House’s Legacy
At Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli took the reins as creative director, presenting a Spring/Summer 2026 collection that gracefully bridged eras. Drawing from Cristóbal Balenciaga’s architectural vision and Demna’s avant-garde edge, Piccioli’s debut infused the house with renewed opulence.Key looks included a revival of the 1957 Sack Dress, alongside oversized tailoring that nodded to contemporary streetwear. The collection shimmered with fringe, feathers, ruched florals, and a palette oscillating between deep violets and neon lime. Casual staples like washed denim and platform flip-flops anchored the high drama, resulting in a debut that was both reverent and revolutionary.
Duran Lantink’s Jean Paul Gaultier SS26: Bold, Raw, and Unapologetic
Dutch designer Duran Lantink made his explosive debut for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Ready-to-Wear SS26 collection, titled “Junior.” The collection was an homage to Gaultier’s provocative DNA—a fusion of archival concepts and raw, club-inspired energy.Lantink’s process of “Duranification” reimagined iconic motifs: Marinière stripes became optical illusions, and tattoo-on-mesh designs inflated into 3D forms. His “naked-look” onesie and trompe l’oeil prints played with body distortion and gender fluidity. Presented in a dimly lit underground venue, the show captured the rebellious essence of Gaultier’s legacy, sparking both admiration and controversy.
A$AP Rocky x PUMA: The “Mostro Inhale” Collection
In a crossover between music and fashion, A$AP Rocky unveiled his largest collaboration with PUMA to date: the “Mostro Inhale” collection. As PUMA’s Creative Director, Rocky drew from his Harlem heritage and the city’s Jazz Renaissance, infusing the line with rhythm, rebellion, and texture.The collection featured three new footwear silhouettes alongside a full range of ready-to-wear pieces. Faux fur, snakeskin, and leopard prints paid homage to Harlem’s cultural past—particularly Seneca Village—and reflected Rocky’s vision of fashion as a form of self-expression. The project continues under his AWGE creative umbrella, uniting streetwear with luxury craftsmanship.
Uniqlo’s Record-Breaking Profits and Global Expansion
While high fashion dominated the runways, Uniqlo was making headlines in the business world. The brand’s parent company, Fast Retailing, reported its fourth consecutive year of record-breaking profits, with Japanese revenue surpassing 1 trillion yen for the first time.According to Reuters, total profits grew by 13% to reach $3.69 billion (564.3 billion yen) for the fiscal year ending August 2025. In North America, revenue surged by 24.5%, and operating profit jumped by 35.1%, even amid newly imposed tariffs in the U.S. With projections indicating another record year in 2026, Uniqlo continues to dominate the global casualwear market through innovation, accessibility, and strategic expansion.
