At Paris Fashion Week on Thursday, Balenciaga’s latest collection showcased a refined interpretation of couture under creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli. The event drew attention not only for its modern yet elegant designs but also for its notable guests, including Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz, who were seated on the front row.
Piccioli, who previously worked at Valentino, was favored by Peltz for her wedding gown in 2022, a detail adding a personal touch to the evening’s atmosphere. The couple was positioned alongside Piccioli’s wife, Simona Caggia, their dog Miranda—named after a character from the film "The Devil Wears Prada"—and former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld. Anna Wintour, traditionally a fixture close to the Beckham family, was notably seated further from the Beckhams to accommodate the arrangement.
The collection itself paid homage to Cristóbal Balenciaga’s iconic architectural designs while updating them for contemporary tastes. Piccioli focused on refined bourgeois elegance rather than the streetwear influences favored by his predecessor Demna. Key pieces included cargo pants featuring sack-back details, funnel-neck anoraks, and shirts with voluminous peplums. Even the casual T-shirts incorporated dramatic elements such as sweeping trains and artfully crumpled sleeves. The runway also highlighted statement gowns in vivid hazmat orange and coral pink, featuring billowing Möbius-strip hemlines that added movement and fluidity to the show.
In a parallel presentation, Chloé’s spring 2027 collection under Chemena Kamali explored versatility in response to changing weather patterns. The brand combined practical outerwear like sou’westers, fisherman capes, and rain ponchos with delicate broderie anglaise sundresses and crop tops, showcasing a range of styles suitable for various climates. Signature elements such as light frills and fluid silhouettes were balanced by tailored trousers, safari-inspired jackets, trenches, and leather coats.
Among the audience, actress Claire Danes opted for tailored attire, while Cynthia Erivo favored a bohemian skirt, reflecting the collection’s blend of structure and ease. Alexa Chung was also present, potentially inspired by one of Chloé’s handkerchief-hem anoraks for future festival wear, while Kate Moss attended the Tom Ford show earlier in the week, sporting strappy Aquazzura heels and an office-ready look.
The shows at Paris Fashion Week continued to demonstrate a balance between innovation and tradition, meeting the evolving demands of contemporary wardrobes with a mixture of practicality and artistic flair.