Menswear Paris Fashion Week concludes its Autumn/Winter collection and the behind the scenes show a different approach to traditional fashion.
Paris Fashion Week is always an exciting time in the fashion industry, especially for the Menswear collection. Running from January 21 to January 26, this week has been filled with a lot of surprises and the biggest fashion household names – among them Dior and Louis Vuitton.
The main subject and point of interest for this year’s Menswear Paris Fashion Week was an experimental approach to gender-fluid fashion and avant-garde aesthetics. Although all designers have their own different tastes an approach, they all pushed the traditional boundaries by embracing innovative materials and futuristic designs. Striking a fashion of art and fashion, this week has seen a lot of experimentation with unconventional silhouettes and funky accessories.
Van Beirendonck – Backstage of ‘New’
A blend of masculinity and femininity
A lot of collections incorporated fluid designs, blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity, by seeing a lot of skirts paired with tailored blazers, as well as oversized pieces with different shapes and textures.
A great example would be Van Beirendonck’s collection, which featured a nostalgic yet avant-garde theatrical display with a lot of extravagant and some eerie pieces. Presenting the Menswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Ready-to-Wear collection, the designer’s show was held just outside the 18th arrondissement, in the northern suburb of Saint-Ouen – quite far from the city centre. Nonetheless, it was the perfect location, with the ideal crowd for such a collection, which he titled “New”.
Van Beirendonck – Backstage of ‘New’
Gender inclusivity and expression
Most importantly, the highlight of this week and what has been sparking debates is the gender inclusivity and expression in fashion. Biodegradable materials were heavily incremented in the collections, highlighting the importance of the planet’s future. Before the show began, Van Beirendonck left a note for all attending guests, stating: “The boom of vintage or archival clothing, although a fantastic step towards a more sustainable fashion world, leaves few interesting or unseen volumes walking the streets. The nostalgia for the looks of old subcultures leaves little space for mind-blowing new techniques, applications, or cuts to land on the runways.”
Van Beirendonck – Backstage of ‘New’
The models walked the runway in extravagant outfits, some of which were more unconventional than others. Starting with oversized hats and ‘70s-inspired retro suits with boho collars, the show transitioned into a darker, funkier mood. Overall, Menswear Paris Fashion Week 2025 showcased a diverse range of collection different from traditional fashion, whether it was through gender-neutral designs, or retro and punk influencers. The start of the Paris Fashion Week Show demonstrates that fashion is always changing and evolving into something new.
