The Best Shows from The Autumn 2024 Paris Haute Couture Week

While the rest of the world is preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the city itself finished off another successful Haute Couture Week. The recently-concluded Paris Fashion Week drew the entire industry to the French capital, where the biggest French fashion houses presented their latest autumn/winter 2024 collections. The result was, as expected, nothing short of spectacular. Schiaparelli was a standout again with its intimate 1950s-inspired collection. Thom Browne, on the other hand, deconstructed the craft and added a tricolored touch in time for the upcoming global sports event. And as always, Armani Privé presented a slinky sophistication that only Armani could offer.

Schiaparelli

As per usual, Schiaparelli presented one of the best shows this past Paris Fashion Week. Held in the basement of Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild on Rue Berryer, creative director Daniel Roseberry harkened back to the “Golden Age of Haute Couture” for his autumn 2024 collection. Starting the intimate show with a striking silver-feathered (which was embroidery, not real feathers) cape that Joan Crawford would've killed to wear, it was clear that old-world elegance reigned supreme here. Hollywood has loved Schiaparelli over the years, but A-list celebrities are sure to trip over themselves to be the first ones to wear this collection on the red carpet. Source: Schiaparelli YouTube Channel

Thom Browne

Thom Browne's parade of deconstructed suits, sets, dresses, and more captivated the fashion set this past Haute Couture Week. The American designer has long been known for his sharp tailoring and precise construction. His strict silhouettes fit well with the high standards of haute couture, so for him to change it up by presenting raw edges, toile pieces, and mismatched garments, he was exposing the craft's secret for all the world to see. The show looked as if students from Paris's best fashion schools were made to present the progress of their latest design projects. But make no mistake—these pieces were tailored to perfection! Source: Thome Browne YouTube Channel

Armani Privé

Giorgio Armani presented a masterclass of timeless elegance for his autumn 2024 haute couture show. Ever since he opened his Armani Privé haute couture house in 2005, he has always upheld his signature sophistication for his collections. Inspired by the pearl, this latest one offered a sleeker and slinkier affair. Sure, there was his usual array of strong-shouldered suits, but he added a metallic shimmer reminiscent of a pearl's natural sheen. His evening gowns, however, were arguably the highlights. Some embraced the body and made the models look ten feet tall. These are likely what celebrities will wear on the red carpet. Others came out sparkling in their pearl embellishments, adding a mature refinement that his old, devoted clients would love. Source: Armani YouTube Channel

Balenciaga

Imagine what typical haute couture looks like and you'll likely won't think of what Demna Gvasalia presented for Balenciaga this past Paris Fashion Week. The set and the vibe were right—a curtained affair where the audience sat fairly close to the runway—but that's about it. The collection leaned more on Demna's signature (and some would say infamous) streetwear aesthetic but translated into the house's archival silhouettes. Cristóbal Balenciaga's beloved cocoon shapes and big sleeves upgraded denim sets, puffer jackets, and the like. Evening dresses still exuded a traditional sort of elegance, and these are likely what will appear on the red carpet. Source: Balenciaga YouTube Channel

Jean Paul Gaultier

This season, it was Courrèges creative director Nicolas Di Felice's turn at Jean Paul Gaultier. He had huge shoes to fill, as the likes of Simone Rocha and Balmain's Olivier Rousteing knocked it out of the park with their collections in previous seasons. So, how did Nicolas Di Feli fare? Pretty well! His drape-heavy presentation was a nice departure from other designers' more extravagant and archive-heavy collections. Gaultier's signature eroticism and French ease permeated through the show, but overall, it was a more modern offering altogether. Leather suits with exaggerated silhouettes and figure-hugging dresses with tight corsetry defined a new sensibility and sensuality within the Gaultier universe. Source: Jean Paul Gaultier YouTube Channel

Robert Wun

Robert Wun was likely in a celebratory mood when he designed his autumn 2024 haute couture collection. It made sense considering it marked his label's 10th anniversary, so he had every reason to go as extravagant and as whimsical as he did with his latest show. Inspired by the four seasons, he decorated his elaborate looks with nature motifs. Cherry blossom petals added a softer touch to a strong-shouldered velvet evening gown. A bright yellow set looked as if the hems were charred by fire. And the last look, glistening with its galaxy-like fantasia, had the right amount of artistry that Lady Gaga or Beyonce would love to work on the red carpet. Source: à la mode YouTube Channel

Vogue World

The star-studded Vogue World live event held in the 1st arrondissement's Place Vendôme deserves a mention too. It was definitely a highlight, especially since celebrities both attended the event and worked the runway. The likes of Sarah Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Ciara, Teyana Taylor, Cara Delevingne, and even Serene Williams wore both new and archival looks from the biggest haute couture houses. It had a sporty theme throughout too, in anticipation of the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics this July. The entire show was everything fashion needed and represented in the 21st century—diversity, celebrity, and of course, haute couture! Source: Vogue YouTube Channel

This past Paris Fashion Week had the biggest French fashion houses present their latest autumn 2024 haute couture collections. Amidst all the hoopla, some standouts like Schiaparelli, Armani Privé, Thom Browne, and Balenciaga reigned supreme.