Paris Fashion Week Highlights 2026: Chris Brown at AMIRI, USHER at Rick Owens & the most talked-about shows

TL;DR:

• Paris Fashion Week 2026 was all about culture, celebrities and bigger silhouettes
• Chris Brown at AMIRI and USHER at Rick Owens proved that artists and fashion are increasingly merging
• Matthieu Blazy made a fairytale couture debut at Chanel
• Willy Chavarria's "Eterno" was labelled by many as the best show of the season
• Relaxed tailoring and statement outerwear are the dominant trends for 2026

Paris Fashion Week has long been more than just a fashion show. It has become a cultural moment — somewhere between concert, art installation and social media event. Designers no longer present collections, but complete worlds. And the people on the front row are by now just as important as the models on the runway.

This season clearly felt like a turning point. Less quiet luxury, less clean minimalism. Instead, we saw more expression, bigger silhouettes and clothing with personality. Fashion seems to be allowed to be a statement again.

These were the moments that defined Paris Fashion Week 2026. Curious what happened earlier in Milan? Then also read our Milan Fashion Week highlights.

Chris Brown at AMIRI: rockstar tailoring stays dominant

The AMIRI show felt more like backstage at a world tour than a classic runway. When Chris Brown appeared front row, it immediately became clear why: the brand designs practically for artists.

AMIRI remains one of the strongest bridges between luxury fashion and streetwear. The collection revolved around flared pants, destroyed denim, leather and crystal details — clothing that almost becomes performance wear.

What stood out most: the silhouettes are clearly getting looser. Skinny fits are disappearing more and more and making way for relaxed tailoring. Not only wider, but also longer falling. We'll soon see that not just in high fashion, but in everyday outfits too.

USHER at Rick Owens: from avant-garde to mainstream influence

USHER and Rick Owens belong together by now. His presence at the show didn't feel like a celebrity appearance, but like an extension of the aesthetic.

Rick Owens continues to operate in his own universe: long layers, extreme shoulders, monochrome looks and almost architectural shapes. What was once purely avant-garde is now slowly seeping into the mainstream.

You can already see it happening: long coats, oversized tops and dramatic proportions appear more and more often in high street collections. Stage outfits become everyday inspiration. You also see that influence in the streetwear trends of 2026.

Pharrell Williams builds a Louis Vuitton world

For Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams did what he does best: storytelling. He built a complete set with a house as the centrepiece — more film set than catwalk.

His collection brought together Americana, workwear and luxe tailoring. The most important signal: fashion is moving towards identity again. Not just clothing, but lifestyle.

Relaxed tailoring, wider trousers and varsity-like influences were visible everywhere. Luxury is becoming less formal and more wearable.

Chanel's fairytale world and the debut of Matthieu Blazy

On Tuesday in Paris, all eyes were on Chanel. Matthieu Blazy made his big haute couture debut and completely transformed the Grand Palais.

Visitors walked into an almost surrealist setting: tall pink willow trees, a Snow White soundtrack and models walking among giant mushrooms. The collection felt dreamy — almost edible — and looked more like a fairytale than a fashion show.

It showed where couture is currently heading: less aloof, more emotional. Fashion has to make you feel something again.

Jonathan Anderson's second Dior collection

With his second collection for Dior, Jonathan Anderson proved that heritage and modernity can merge. He kept the classic Dior tailoring intact, but gave it a softer, more contemporary approach.

Less rigid, more relaxed. The traditional suit shapes became looser and more human — once again a confirmation that fashion is moving away from tight fits towards comfort silhouettes. Read more about how Anderson is transforming Dior in our article on Dior under Jonathan Anderson.

The show that surprised everyone: Willy Chavarria

Perhaps the most talked-about show of the week didn't come from a mega house, but from Willy Chavarria. His Fall/Winter 2026 show Eterno was labelled by many media outlets as the best runway of the season.

Chavarria didn't present an ordinary show, but what he himself called a "live movie." Singers, dancers and models came together in one experience. In a week where many brands stick to the classic formula — front row celebrities, runway, music — this felt different.

Not only spectacular, but also sincere. His show showed that fashion isn't only about clothing, but about feeling and culture. In a time when brands increasingly fight for attention in the algorithm, this was a rare moment when fashion actually meant something.

What this says about 2026 trends

If you take all the shows together, a clear picture emerges:

• Looser silhouettes and longer fits
• Relaxed tailoring instead of tight suits
• Statement outerwear
• Performance and lifestyle influences
• Fashion as identity instead of just clothing

The distance between artist, influencer and designer is shrinking. Fashion is moving towards culture and streetwear plays an increasingly large role in that.

We were there ourselves

Winkelstraat.nl was physically present in Paris during Fashion Week and hit the streets. We asked fashion icons and show visitors live which 2016 trends, according to them, are allowed to make a comeback, especially now that 2026 is increasingly seen as the new 2016.

From fits to throwback aesthetics: we captured their reactions (and outfits).

Watch the videos on TikTok.

Frequently asked questions about Paris Fashion Week 2026

What were the most important trends during Paris Fashion Week 2026?

The common thread was clear: relaxed tailoring, looser silhouettes and statement outerwear dominated the shows. Designers like AMIRI, Rick Owens and Louis Vuitton showed that fashion is becoming more personal and expressive again. Skinny fits are definitively making way for wider, longer shapes that combine comfort and style.

Why are celebrities so important at fashion weeks?

Celebrities like Chris Brown and USHER are no longer just front row guests — they are extensions of the brand. Their presence reinforces the designer's message and provides enormous visibility on social media. The line between artist and fashion is blurring more and more, which makes fashion weeks cultural moments too.

Who made the most talked-about debut during PFW 2026?

Matthieu Blazy stole the show with his haute couture debut for Chanel. He transformed the Grand Palais into a fairytale world with pink willow trees and giant mushrooms. In addition, Willy Chavarria's show "Eterno" was named by many media outlets as the best runway of the season.