fashion tour in paris

Top Fashion Tours in Paris

Private Tour: Fashion History in the Heart of Paris

This two-hour private tour unveils the essence of Parisian fashion, guiding you through the city’s prestigious retail and design districts. Led by an experienced industry expert, delve into Paris’s rich fashion legacy and current trends while strolling along the fashionable Rue Saint-Honoré. Discover artisanal jewelry, explore vintage boutiques, and visit flagship stores and the renowned concept shop frequented by local trendsetters. As you traverse the city streets, customizable and guided by your private expert, immerse yourself in Paris’s chic ambiance.

As you step into this exclusive themed journey, you’ll be greeted by a guide boasting an advanced fashion design degree, ready to unveil the intricate tapestry of Parisian haute couture. Your meeting point, the La Comédie-Française theatre in the first arrondissement, marks the beginning of a leisurely exploration through the city’s most fashionable districts. Your guide, a seasoned insider, will paint vivid narratives of Parisian high fashion history, sharing insights into the currents of designer sensations and emerging trends. Along the iconic Colonnes de Buren, the revered Rue Saint-Honoré, and the illustrious Place Vendome, you’ll immerse yourself in Paris’s chic ambiance. Prepare to discover well-kept insider secrets, indulging in the intimate, tailored experience meticulously curated by a passionate industry expert.

French Fashion History Walking Tour

Within this tour , a captivating 1.5-hour exploration awaits, inviting you to unravel the entwined realms of fashion and social movements. Venture into prestigious luxury brand stores, where you’ll peel back the layers of their captivating histories, uncovering profound connections between couture and societal shifts. Amid wartime upheavals, witness the unwavering spirit of Coco Chanel and explore the exclusivity surrounding Hermès, delving into the iconic allure of the Birkin and Kelly bags. Traverse the seismic post-war fashion revolution sparked by Dior, exploring the genesis of Haute Couture. Stroll through the esteemed streets of rue Saint-Honoré, adorned with illustrious designer shops, and delve into the origins of the inaugural ateliers. Immerse yourself in the legacies of Louis Vuitton and Chanel’s transformative odyssey, embracing the pioneering influence of renowned designers who reshaped fashion and empowered women in its evolving tapestry.

Tour of the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris

You can explore the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent, an iconic fashion designer of his time, showcased in a Parisian museum housing many of his finest designs. Set on the historic site of his former haute couture house, the museum opened its doors in October 2017, becoming the first of its scale entirely dedicated to the work of this 20th-century couturier. Spanning over 450m², the museum showcases the creative brilliance of Saint Laurent and unveils the meticulous process behind crafting an haute couture collection. Renowned for his innovation, Saint Laurent meticulously archived all his work, resulting in a collection boasting over 5,000 haute couture models. You can experience a glimpse into the visionary mind of Yves Saint Laurent, the only creator of his generation to preserve such an extensive archive, encapsulating the essence of his groundbreaking contributions to fashion history.

This exclusive tour offers early access to the Musée Yves Saint Laurent for you and a small group of fashion enthusiasts. Experience a unique journey that leads you through the museum, culminating in a visit to Saint Laurent’s very Studio, the birthplace of numerous iconic designs. Inside Yves Saint Laurent’s Studio, delve into the history and influence of this legendary fashion designer. Benefit from the intimacy of a small group setting, ensuring personalized attention from your guide. For an exclusive encounter, discover the Musee Yves Saint Laurent Paris before its public opening at 11 am and immerse yourself in the world of the renowned fashion designer.

Secrets of Printemps Department Store Backstage Tour

Nestled within a striking 19th-century edifice, Printemps Haussmann stands as one of Paris’ most renowned and opulent department stores. This tour offers an exclusive journey, peeling back the layers of its rich history and heritage as a Historic Monument. You can explore the clandestine labyrinthine galleries, typically restricted from public access, and marvel at the panoramic vistas of Paris from the iconic dome. Your guide will enlighten you about the Monument’s legacy while introducing you to the behind-the-scenes operators and staff who bring Printemps to life. This experience will unveil areas inaccessible to the public, from the rooftop terrace to the intricate galleries housing the store’s operational heart, revealing the infrastructure that sustains this thriving department store.

These top fashion tours in Paris are not merely about garments and trends; they’re immersive journeys that unravel the city’s artistic, cultural, and historical tapestry. Whether you’re an ardent fashion enthusiast or simply appreciate the artistry behind clothing, these tours promise an enriching exploration of Paris’s unparalleled style legacy. So, embark on this stylish odyssey and discover the magic that Paris, the fashion capital, has to offer.

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Paris Fashion History Tour

• Palais Royal
• Place Vendôme
• Opera Garnier
• Rue Saint-Honoré

• Paris fashion tour led by a fashion or art historian
• Learn about fashion history in the world's fashion capital

• Opéra Garnier (exterior only) 
• Grands Magasins
• 3 Hours with a PhD or MA level guide

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

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Put on the ritz in the City of Light. From haute couture to prêt-à-porter, today’s fashion industry is rooted in French history. Paris is synonymous with style and luxury, tracing all the way back to the fashionable court of Louis XIV, and, during Fashion Week, the city showcases its reputation as a world fashion capital. But you don’t need a runway invitation to experience the thrill of France’s high fashion scene.

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A NIGHT TOUR WITH MAGIC CITY LIGHTS AND LOCAL VIBES

Set sail on the seine with a private boat tour, take a small group fashion & fragrance shopping tour, insider's tip: a quaint café for bite-sized snacks, enjoy a semi-private tour of the louvre, insider’s tip: luxury shopping at printemps haussmann, insider's tip: savory galettes + sweet crepes at breizh café, try your hand at hat making with a local chapelier, insider's tip: three-star michelin-rated l’ambroisie.

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 Fashion Tours & Shopping in Paris

For private individuals, incentrive trips and team-building., enjoy a tailor-made parisian fashion experience..

With Le Connoisseur's exclusive network of partners in the world of fashion and design, enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of the Parisian fashion industry; have a special welcome into Paris' most legendary luxury fashion houses; or learn from the experts all about the history of these fashion houses and theirs famous clients. 

See below for some of our exclusive fashion and shopping tours and experiences, or contact us to arrange a made-to-measure tour created especially for you. 

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How to Watch Vogue World 2024: Paris

By Chris Murphy

Vogue World 2024 is almost upon us. The sprawling celebration of all things en Vogue kicks off in Paris at the legendary Place Vendôme on Sunday, June 23. Hosted by supermodel and actor Cara Delevingne, Vogue World will explore the best that high fashion and haute couture has to offer in the most fashionable city in the world.

“It’s a dream to make the Place Vendôme Vogue World’s home. I can’t think of a setting in Paris that better captures the city’s rich history and glamour,” said Vogue global editorial director and Condé Nast chief content officer Anna Wintour.

Luckily, you don’t have to literally be in Paris to take a trip to Vogue World. Here’s how you can immerse yourself in Vogue World 2024 from the comfort of your own home.

When is Vogue World: Paris?

The festivities kick off on Sunday, June 23, in Paris. Place Vendôme, a chic square located in the 1st arrondissement, will serve as home base for the events.

Can I watch Vogue World: Paris?

Thankfully, it’s all being live streamed. The broadcast will be hosted by Delevingne, produced by Den of Thieves, and directed by Sam Wrench, who helmed Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. Wherever you are in the world, you can access the live stream right here on VF.com, at www.vogue.world, as well as on YouTube and the Vogue Runway app ( download the iOS app here and the Android app here ).

When can I watch Vogue World: Paris?

The Vogue World: Paris 2024 live stream begins at 9 p.m. CET or 3 p.m. ET—with the preshow beginning at 8:30 p.m. CET or 2:30 p.m. ET. You can sign up to get notified when the live stream starts.

Who will be there?

The who’s who of fashion, that’s who! Along with aforementioned host Delevingne, Vogue World will feature some of the biggest names in the industry. Former editor in chief of Vogue Paris Carine Roitfeld, Dazed editor Ib Kamara, and Palais Galliera historian and curator Alexandre Samson will be overseeing the fashion components, and Juan Costa Paz of Paris-based creative studio Convoy will serve as the event’s creative director. Makeup maven Dame Pat McGrath will be overseeing makeup design while Rihanna ’s Super Bowl choreographer Parris Goebel is in charge of artistic direction and choreography for the event.

But that’s not all. The Vogue World: Paris cast will feature over 500 athletes, performers, surprise guests, and models, including but not limited to Loli Bahia, Kendall Jenner, Paloma Elsesser, Ashley Graham, Jill Kortleve, Amelia Gray, and Abby Champion.

What will happen at Vogue World?

Vogue World: Paris is taking an athletic approach to fashion, with this year’s celebration conceived in collaboration with youth athletic academies throughout France. Popular sports, like cycling, gymnastics, tennis, fencing, and breaking—will coalesce and combine with popular French fashions from different decades, going all the way back to the 1920s. A portion of the proceeds generated from ticket sales will be donated to Secours Populaire, a humanitarian organization which helps young athletes in France access essential equipment for their chosen sport.

As for the show itself, the fashions will highlight contemporary and historic French designers, as well as fashion houses that typically show their collections in Paris. And there may even be a special surprise-guest performance or two. Ooh la la!

So can I still get tickets?

Unfortunately, no. Tickets to Vogue World are officially sold out. For inquiries, or to join the wait list, you can email [email protected] .

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​ FASHION HISTORY TOURS

L earn insider secrets of the world’s haute couture capital on a private themed tour. Meet up with your guide, an industry professional with an advanced degree in fashion, then set off on a leisurely stroll through the most fashionable districts in the heart of the city while your guide shares insight into the history of Parisian high fashion and current trends and designers that are making waves. See the famous fashion houses of Rue Saint-Honoré and Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. Ogle baubles at the jewelry shops of Place Vendôme. Ask all the questions you like and get tips on the best places to shop throughout the city so you can add a touch of Parisian elegance to your own wardrobe.   

Custom Fashion Tours

J oin me on a private fashion tour in the world's fashion capital! As a designer who has called Paris home for over 14  years, I will introduce you to shops exclusive to Paris and give you a tour of the most fashionable neighborhoods. Writing for publications on the topic of fashion and lifestyle including Conde Nast Traveler ,  National Geographic, SilverKris, The Independent, France Today, and Hemispheres , I have my finger on the fashion pulse! I will customize your tour to suit your specific tastes. Following are a few tours to choose from:

Local Designer Tour (3 hours)

Discover the Haut Marais district, home to some of Paris's most exclusive independent brands. You'll have a chance to meet the designers in person, learn about what inspires them and even view their ateliers where samples are created. What's more, they custom-tailor to fit. A luxury fashion experience unlike any other!

Luxury Fashion Tour (3 hours )

Prepare to discover some of Paris's most exclusive fashion and accessory brands, and gain insight as to what makes them some of the world's best. The tour includes both famous brands and smaller bespoke labels exclusive to Paris. Walk away with a deeper knowledge of what luxury really means and coveted items that will define your experience!

Luxury Vintage Tour (3 hours)

Ready to discover the fashionable vintage side of Paris? Gain access to some of the most exclusive consignment and vintage shops where you'll find famous French brands including Chanel,  Yves Saint Laurent, and Dior. Where better to shop these couture labels than in the city that inspired them?

Flea Market Tour (3 hours)

Go treasure hunting for French antiques and timeless  souvenirs in the largest flea market in the world! From vintage clothing and accessories to mid-century modern furniture, there's something to appeal to everyone's taste and budget. We'll focus on what interests you most, from fashion to housewares.

Bespoke Beauty Tour (3 hours)

Prepare to awaken your senses while discovering some of Paris's most bespoke perfume houses and beauty brands. Many of these brands are local to Paris, with perfume being produced in the famous region of Grasse. Walk away with a new scent to remind you of your visit to Paris!

TOUR PRICE: 350€ for 1-3 people / 100€ for each additional person

(4 hour and full day tours also available)

TOUR TIMES: Morning: 11am - 2pm / Afternoon: 3pm - 6pm

• PassToLocal
• Ultimate things to do in Paris
• Elite Haute Couture Fashion experiences in Paris
• Exclusive behind the scenes tour of the top fashion houses in Paris.

Paris exclusive tour and meeting with Haute Couture Parisian Designers at their atelier/workshop

Book an exclusive access to exceptional French designer workshop and enjoy exciting exchanges with the Couturier

ENTER THE WORLD OF PARIS HAUTE COUTURE DESIGNERS

You're planning to visit Paris and do The best of the “City of Light” !  Live the magic in Paris  : most fashion secret place!

In the world’s fashion capital Paris, the inaccessible becomes reality as we create for you a truly exceptional and unique fashion experience: meeting a famous French designer.

This is the perfect experience for those fascinated by the fashion industry and enchanted by the beauty and history of Paris.This is extreme luxury and glamour parisian fashion experience.

The Couturier is opening exceptionally the door to his workshop/studio located in the heart of Paris.

The French designer has many years of experience under his belt.  He’s Haute-Couture man – shows in Paris Haute Couture week every year  like Thierry Mugler Christian Lacroix Jean Paul Gaultier Chanel…

Your exclusive fashion experience at the Parisian fashion house includes:

You are greeted by the Couturier himself at his Paris atelier workshop.

You discover his fabulous collections, a style which stands for elegance and sensualism, his hand-stitched gowns. He shares with you glimpses of his personal story and haute couture skills and knowledge.

His Colourful creations reveal perfect silhouettes through delicate fabrics such as sateen, organza, satin, tulle and silk.All of his creations explore a seductive femininity through flattering silhouettes, impeccable cuts, exquisite fabrics, lavish embellishments. He has dressed some stylish actresses and stars.

You learn so much about haute couture silks.

You can ask us also for other Paris Fashion Tour

With many years extensive experience within the fashion world, we can source invitations to top shows and exclusive shopping experiences to flagship boutiques and private showrooms,

Practical information

• Duration: 1h30
• Pickup location: the meeting point will be given to you by email
• Size group: From 5 to 10 people maximum

Contact the Pass to Local Team

Upcoming date: 13/07/24 15h00

Book for a group

commentaires

Une rencontre inoubliable, très belle rencontre. Un grand merci.

Un moment inoubliable

we enjoyed a wonderful time into the world of fashion. A completely new, fascinating discovery, that we highly recommend to anyone with an interest in fashion or a desire to have a unique experience while in Paris.

La visite du coeur d'un atelier, la découverte de ses créations, de son mode de fonctionnement étaient formidable. Un beau moment.

J'ai passé un excellent moment . J'ai beaucoup appris avec lui. C'est quelqu'un de très ouvert, original et je recommande à autrui de faire cette expérience. J'étais très impressionnée. Très bonne visite...Un rêve de petite fille a été exaucé. Un grand

La visite était passionnante. Bravo à l'equipe organisatrice qui nous a fait connaître ce créateur, et sa passion pour la haute couture.

J’ai trouvé la visite excellente ! J’ai apprécié la proximité et la simplicité des échanges. J’ai trouvé que le couturier était très accessible et c’était vraiment très agréable. Je recommanderai cette visite !!

Expérience magique! merci

Notre groupe a été ébloui. visite exceptionnelle et échanges passionnants avec le Couturier

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Paris Fashion History Tour

• Palais Royal
• Place Vendôme
• Opera Garnier
• Rue Saint-Honoré

• Paris fashion tour led by a fashion or art historian
• Learn about fashion history in the world's fashion capital

• Opéra Garnier (exterior only) 
• Grands Magasins
• 3 Hours with a PhD or MA level guide

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

You May Also Like

Paris Architecture Tour: Haussmann's Transformation

Paris Food Tour: Pastries and Chocolate

Book a tour.

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Vogue World celebrates French style, Olympics amid razzmatazz, as menswear season wraps up in Paris

Diane Kruger poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Karim Al-Fayed, left, and Brenda Costa pose for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Cara Delevingne poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Diane von Furstenberg poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Eva Longoria poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Pharrell Williams poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Harris Reed poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Camille Rowe poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Jared Leto poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Alexa Chung poses for photographers upon arrival at the Vogue World event on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

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PARIS (AP) — French singing star Aya Nakamura warbled. Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid rode horses. While Venus and Serena Williams and Katy Perry modeled on the cobbles. This was Paris’ Place Vendome as never seen before.

On International Olympic Day, Vogue World took over the last day of Paris Fashion Week’s menswear collections with a show-cum-spectacle themed around the Olympics.

The rare event blended athleticism, French fashion, and pure, unadulterated razzmatazz from the past century — marking 100 years since the last Games in Paris in 1924. The event also referred back to June 23, 1894, the day on which the founder of the modern Olympics, French nobleman Pierre de Coubertin, launched the International Olympic Committee.

Here are some highlights of collections Sunday:

Vogue World paints the town red (white and blue)

Matching different sports to different eras and styles, the high-octane collection extravaganza felt like a polished Broadway musical — with amazing clothes — as the sun set on Paris’ magnificent Place Vendome.

For the third Vogue World event, following a New York street fair in 2022 and a tribute to London’s theater scene in 2023, the show dovetailed with the Paris Games — celebrating all things French and runway. Fashion designs were showcased to a backdrop of tap dancing, pirouetting red-wine-holding waiters, and even models clutching baguettes.

Tracing a century, each decade was paired with a designer and style era. The ‘20s was cycling and featured white coats by designers such as Chanel and Schiaparelli. The ’30s was “track and field” by Balenciaga. The ‘40s, the era that gave the bikini to the world, featured “aquatics” by Jacquemus. The ’50s brought “equestrian” styles shown through the prism of the decade-defining New Look by Dior. The ‘60s was Courreges’ fencing looks.

By the time the ’70s came up with choreographed Givenchy-fueled “gymnastics,” some journalists had completely forgotten to keep taking notes, caught up in the intoxicating sight of the choreographed spectacle on the picturesque plaza, whose star-filled front row, including Pharrell Williams, rivaled even the stars that trod the boards (cobbles).

The ‘80s focused on martial arts and the ’90s on soccer, with a reinterpretation of late icon Azzedine Alaia’s tricolor dress. Cheers rose when the Williams sisters appeared for the “tennis” section, Venus in a bold figure-hugging mermaid dress and Serena warrior-like in a black, utilitarian split gown.

The finale featured breakdancing. The atmosphere was electric, serving as an unofficial kickoff for the Paris Games, which will run from July 26 to Aug. 11.

Sacai’s hybrid

Under the lofty ceiling of the historic La Poste du Louvre — Paris’ most emblematic Haussmannian post office that was recently renovated — Japanese it-brand Sacai held its latest collection. Designer Chitose Abe, renowned for her approach of “hybridization,” continued to merge disparate elements into singular, eye-catching pieces, making them look like one thing from the front and another from the back.

Twists were evident throughout the show. Pleats — as seen on white, red carpet tuxedo shirts — were creatively reimagined as billowing white floppy tubular skirts and white boho toggle tops. In darker colors, these off-kilter styles channeled a preppy look, complemented by sheeny leather loafers. Indeed, preppy and military details — Abe’s signatures — were on full display in the funky collection. White shirts, thick-rimmed spectacles, and pinstripes ticked the preppy box; while chunky round shoulders and thick layering ticked the military one.

The collection also highlighted Abe’s knack for blending the traditional with the modern. Denim, colorful patterns, and huggable knits provided a welcome touch of softness against the harder-lined silhouettes.

The art of the invitation

In an age dominated by email and heightened environmental awareness, the fashion industry’s antiquated system of invitations remains largely untouched.

Season after season, gasoline-guzzling couriers crisscross Paris, personally delivering elaborate, often handmade show invites. Top fashion houses compete for the most imaginative and wacky ideas, often hinting at the runway collection’s theme.

Pharrell Williams’ invitation for his UNESCO show was a Louis Vuitton embossed Apple AirTag, reminiscent of a royal mint memento. Loewe’s invite came as a giant colored leather square pocket, too large for any conventional letterbox. Dior Men’s opted for a leather pencil case, topped with a sketch of the collection’s referenced artist and ceramicist, Hylton Nel. In contrast, Vogue World embraced eco-friendliness with a simple QR code sent via email.

Wooyoungmi’s fusion of East and West

Madame Woo of Wooyoungmi is renowned for her fusion of Parisian — or European — elegance and Korean cultural heritage. The South Korean designer’s creations blend traditional elements from her homeland with a contemporary, open-minded view of culture. On Sunday, her show was a testament to this.

Leather Derby shoes were effortlessly paired with cropped Renaissance laced pants adorned with traditional decorative neck beading.

Other looks masterfully combined the rugged allure of the American Wild West with details like decorated belts and a perforated long coat, reminiscent of fashion-forward leather hide.

Madame Woo often transforms utilitarian basics into luxurious, tactile masterpieces, as seen in previous collections featuring lush blue velvet chore coats and fine brushed suede uniform jackets.

Cropped black leather biker pants and a Wooyoungmi logo-emblazoned baseball top on Sunday ensured that, despite the rich cultural references, eclecticism was the name of the game this spring.

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A Final, Graceful Bow From Dries Van Noten

As the Belgian designer ended his career with one last runway show in Paris, he left a reminder of why his is a storied legacy.

By Guy Trebay

Reporting from Paris

“I tried to make things people would cherish,” Dries Van Noten said on Saturday evening, during a cocktail party and dinner preceding his final runway show. Mr. Van Noten held his first show in Paris back in 1991; now, at 66, he is stepping away from his namesake brand. His retirement was a shock to many in a business in which careers tend to be abnormally truncated or else to exceed their expiration date.

The decision to retire was not taken lightly, Mr. Van Noten said. Whose is? And it was destined to be a disappointment to fans of this gentle Belgian’s presence on the scene. And they are many. Why? There was his evolved craftsmanship. There was his singular gift as a colorist. There was his ability to skew pattern and tweak silhouette without compromising wearability. Perhaps alone among the designers of the vaunted Antwerp Six group he belonged to, Mr. Van Noten produced, for 150 collections, commercially accessible, cherishable clothes.

A pre-show dinner party of a kind the French term a cocktail dînatoire was held in a warehouse on the outskirts of Paris. Fans from throughout the decades — among them, the designers Pierpaolo Piccioli, Thom Browne, Glenn Martens, Stephen Jones, Harris Reed and Diane von Furstenberg — floated about a vast space as waiters poured Champagne in abundance and circulated with trays bearing tiny bowls of beet soup, white asparagus with poached egg, foie gras and shrimp on skewers.

As a waiter passed with a flight of beef tartare snacks, Edward Buchanan, the designer and Milan fashion director of Perfect Magazine, waved them away. Raw beef at parties is iffy, he said.

Asked about his relationship to Mr. Van Noten’s designs, Mr. Buchanan told a story. “Two years ago in L.A., all my things were stolen,” he said. For months after the theft, he spent every spare hour obsessively combing the internet for replacements — not of his personal mementos but of his lost Van Notens.

“I didn’t really care about anything else,” he said.

It was like that with Van Noten’s designs. You coveted them when you saw them and hoped to keep them for life.

So it felt keenly bittersweet that Mr. Van Noten’s valedictory collection, shown on a long runway poetically covered with shreds of silver leaf so light they fluttered through the air, encompassed many keystones of his graceful, unostentatious mastery. The show opened with an austere lightweight overcoat that suggested something dour was to follow, an impression quickly offset by a parade of transparent peekaboo trousers, dusters, overshirts and double-breasted suits buttoned low and slouchy in the manner of film noir gangsters.

Hawaiian Punch florals rendered in cool monochrome and paired with snakeskin patterns were followed by iridescent metallic trousers and tunics jackets in a gold-and-silver fabric that moved like molten metal. The effect was both minimalist and wizardly.

If there were no other single reason to lament Mr. Van Noten’s retreat from fashion, there is his color sense. Could another designer layer a taupe field jacket with bellows pockets on the breast and sleeves over a pair of salmon-colored fuzzy shorts with unfinished hems and a rosy-beige shirt whose color, in more benighted times, Crayola crayons marketed as Flesh?

Let’s hope so. Until that time, the smart money is on a serious uptick in online sales of vintage Dries Van Noten. As Mr. Buchanan realized when his bleach-dipped denim jacket was swiped, Joni Mitchell was 100 percent correct about not knowing what you’ve got till it’s gone.

Guy Trebay is a reporter for the Style section of The Times, writing about the intersections of style, culture, art and fashion. More about Guy Trebay

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Iconic designer Dries Van Noten stages his swan song show in Paris, retiring from fashion

The curtain fell and the disco ball was raised celebrating 38 years and 150 collections of Dries Van Noten, who staged his final fashion show at Paris Fashion Week

PARIS — The curtain fell and the disco ball was raised celebrating 38 years and 150 collections of Dries Van Noten, who staged his final fashion show Saturday at Paris Fashion Week. The Belgian fashion maestro, a member of the influential “Antwerp Six” known for his innovative and unexpected elegance, announced his retirement in March of this year.

Meanwhile, golden feathers cascaded down models’ concealed faces at Loewe for a show that evoked myths and sartorial whimsy. It set the stage for a more subdued collection this season from Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson —but one which continued to blend fantasy with high fashion.

Here are some highlights of Saturday’s spring 2025 menswear shows:

Dries Van Noten's final show

His departure marks the end of an era. To the sound of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love,” Dries Van Noten took his final curtain call at a warehouse in northern Paris in front of an 8-meter-high disco ball, at the helm of a bedazzling silver runway that had just acted as the stage of his swan song — his 150th show.

Van Noten is one of the famed ‘Antwerp Six’ designers, including Ann Demeulemeester, who all trained at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the early ’80s, and had an important impact on global fashion. His career, which has spanned five decades since his first menswear line in 1986, has been marked by a fusion of familiar and unfamiliar elements, creating a sense of surprise and poetry in his collections. He is revered across the fashion industry for his unique aesthetic.

It’s no wonder the great and the good of fashion, including Diane von Fürstenberg, Thom Browne, and Pierpaolo Piccioli, attended the event to celebrate his career.

The Saturday night collection gleamed. It was a varied display playing loosely on the theme of wrapping up or exposing. Known for his innovative use of fabrics and textures, Van Noten showcased plenty of disco-ready sheen and shimmer.

It was all about the fabrics. He employed semi-sheer crinkled polyamide resembling glass and “one-sided foils that shift, liquid-like, between silver and gold.” This inventive fabric manipulation resulted in a spring show that balanced fun and somber styles — as wisps of the fragile silver foil runway floated up in the air, almost weightlessly.

Van Noten also incorporated a traditional Japanese marbling technique called suminagashi, dating back 1,000 years. This method involves floating ink on water and then transferring it to material, creating unique, organic patterns. Here, foliage and flower prints evoked fireworks bursting against the night sky.

Throughout his career, Van Noten has been celebrated for riffing on historical and subcultural references. This final show was no exception, seamlessly integrating disco influences with his unique take on modern gender-fluid masculinity. A sheer, almost-seedy pink trench caught the slight silhouette of the male model’s bare arm in a subtle peek-a-boo trick.

Van Noten’s mastery of unexpected color combinations was also on display, including saturated mixes like a combination of pink, with green and deep burgundy. His ability to juxtapose formal and casual wear — like pairing elongated double-breasted suits with playful, shimmering pieces—highlighted his signature style.

As the 66-year-old takes his final bow, the fashion world reflects on the legacy of a designer who continually pushed boundaries, redefined elegance, and brought a distinctive Belgian touch to the global stage.

Feathers and suits at Loewe

Moments of poetry abounded, as usual. A stiff sleeveless pearl vest and another resembling armor, almost sculptural in its presence, shimmered like iridescent fish. Anderson’s talent for what he calls creating “collaged realness” was once again on display for spring, merging art content with high-end fashion.

Generous draping and ruching on pants and foulards showcased fine fashion design with curves swirling elegantly, all conceived with a light, minimalist touch. This was Anderson at his best, creating exaggerated, sculptural silhouettes that are now a hallmark of his Loewe tenure. The deceptive lightness and fluidity of the cottons, wools and leathers marked his ongoing exploration of materiality.

The tailored suit and pants — a mainstay of an office job — were touchstones, starkly contrasting the moments of whimsy.

Even here, styles were treated with Anderson’s signature off-kilter eye and in loose, generous proportions.

Elongated belts were in double vision, while patent Oxford shoes would have been ready for Wall Street, were it not for the fairytale-like surreally long toe that could have been worn by Rumpelstiltskin. Was Anderson trying to evoke a daydream of a bored city worker? This fusion of the mundane and the fantastical is an Anderson trademark. Spring was another example of his ability to use clothing as a medium to explore broader cultural themes, and to draw the it-crowd including actor Jeff Goldblum and movie director Pedro Almodovar.

Pastels, microbacteria: Kiko Kostadinov

Asian cross-over styles and sumptuous turban-like headwear mixed with the buttons and epaulet detailing of military garb created a distinctively avant-garde atmosphere for fashion-forward designer Kiko Kostadinov’s latest collection. The nuanced incorporation of pastels, often gently color-blocked into the outfits, lent the collection a vibrant yet subtle harmony, reflecting Kostadinov’s knack for blending unlikely elements.

The uncommon pastel hues made this collection sing. Kostadinov often uses vibrant tones to create eye-catching ensembles.

Other styles featured high, round collars that seemed to evoke Star Trek, adding a futuristic twist. Kostadinov has a penchant for integrating elements of science fiction and fantasy into his designs, as seen in past collections inspired by cinematic and bookish themes.

Indeed, one look — a striking industrial-style jacket and pants — sported surreal motifs of alien lifeforms or underwater creatures. This playful yet eerie detailing continued, resembling microscopic bacteria adorning a 70s-style pastel-striped shirt and pants.

White Mountaineering gets urban

Loose, limp silhouettes, utilitarian detailing, and layered looks set the mood from the outset at White Mountaineering’s latest menswear show. Designed by Yosuke Aizawa, a Tokyo-based creator who thrives on outdoor adventures and draws inspiration from the hinterlands of Nagano prefecture, this brand epitomizes the fusion of urban and outdoor wear, balancing technical function with the runway.

The collection began, fittingly, in white. Monochromatic musings gave way to stripes, checks, and camouflage, with geometric knit patterns and even an assorted ’90s tie-dye total look.

Factory overall onesies in beige gave this collection a young, funky vibe, while silky foulards and neat collars added a nip of chic.

Aizawa, who divides his time between Tokyo and the wilderness of Nagano, channels his passion for the outdoors into his shows. His designs reflect his lifestyle, offering garments that are equally at home in the city or the countryside.