Paris Fashion Week has always delivered unforgettable moments, from jaw-dropping runway stunts to glamorous celebrity appearances. Over the years, the event has featured A-list actors, musicians, and fashion icons, making it an anticipated celebration of style and craftsmanship. With each season, designers push the limits of creativity, transforming the runways into theatrical spectacles that keep the city at the heart of haute couture.
As another Paris Fashion Week kicks off on 23rd September, let’s revisit some of the most iconic moments from its rich and stylish history.
1. Battle of Versailles, 1973
Image: Alain Dejean/Getty Images
Paris Fashion Week originally began as a one-off charity event in 1973 to raise funds for the Palace of Versailles' restoration. This legendary fashion face-off pitted five American designers, including Oscar de la Renta and Halston, against five French fashion houses, such as Yves Saint Laurent and Dior. In a groundbreaking moment for diversity, 30% of the American models were Black, which was rare at the time. Though the event didn’t generate much media attention then, it established Paris as a dominant fashion hub for years to come.
2. Nicole Kidman x Chanel, Spring 2005
Images: Corbis/Getty Images
Nicole Kidman stole the spotlight at Chanel’s Spring 2005 show, continuing her iconic partnership with the brand after the famous $33 million Chanel No. 5 ad. Dressed in a liquid satin jacket fastened with a jeweled brooch, Kidman’s appearance on the front row was as unforgettable as the collection, which featured a red carpet runway setup.
3. Lady Gaga x Mugler, Fall 2011
Image: Drapers
Lady Gaga brought her signature avant-garde style to the Fall 2011 Mugler show, orchestrated by her stylist Nicola Formichetti, the brand’s creative director at the time. Gaga not only curated the show’s exclusive soundtrack but also walked the runway herself, puffing on a cigarette. Her presence marked a new era for Mugler, merging high fashion with pop culture.
4. Kate Moss at Louis Vuitton, 2011
Image: Karl Prouse/Getty Images
Kate Moss made headlines at Louis Vuitton’s Autumn-Winter 2011 collection when she ended her runway walk by lighting a cigarette. The stunt was encouraged by creative director Marc Jacobs, who sought to make a bold statement about personal freedom in a fetish-inspired collection. The moment flouted the newly introduced French public smoking ban, solidifying its place in fashion history.
5. Alexander McQueen’s Final Show, 2009
Image: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Alexander McQueen’s “Plato’s Atlantis” Spring-Summer 2010 collection, showcased in 2009, was the designer’s last runway presentation before his tragic death in 2010. It was the first fashion show ever livestreamed and introduced the world to the now-famous “Armadillo” boots. The show’s futuristic, alien-inspired designs continue to influence the fashion world today.
6. The Chanel Supermarket, 2014
Image: PLV/SIPA/Newscom
Karl Lagerfeld took extravagance to a whole new level with Chanel’s 2014 Autumn-Winter show, transforming the Grand Palais into a fully-stocked supermarket. Models including Cara Delevingne and Joan Smalls paraded down the aisles, grabbing Chanel-branded groceries. It was a cheeky nod to consumerism and haute couture, with Rihanna herself joining in on the fun.
7. Kim Kardashian x Givenchy, Spring 2015
At Givenchy’s Spring 2015 show, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and Kris Jenner took the front row, but it was baby North West who stole the show. Dressed in a mini version of Kim’s Gothic-inspired gown, the one-year-old’s appearance marked the Kardashian-West family’s growing influence in the fashion world.
8. Derek Zoolander x Valentino, 2015
Image: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson reprised their roles as Derek Zoolander and Hansel McDonald from the cult classic “Zoolander” when they closed Valentino’s Fall 2015 show. Strutting to The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me,” the duo’s Blue Steel poses delighted the crowd and doubled as a promo for the “Zoolander” sequel.
9. Janaye Furman Opening for Louis Vuitton, 2017
Image: WireImage
In 2017, Janaye Furman made history as the first Black model to open a Louis Vuitton show, fronting the Spring-Summer 2018 collection. This monumental moment was followed by Virgil Abloh’s appointment as the brand’s first Black creative director a year later, signaling a shift toward more inclusivity in fashion.
10. Daisy May Demetre making history, 2019
Image: Reuters
Daisy May Demetre, a nine-year-old double-amputee, became the first model with such a condition to walk at Paris Fashion Week. Representing Lulu et Gigi Couture, Demetre’s trailblazing moment symbolized a push for greater representation and diversity on the runway.
11. Viktor & Rolf’s Meme-Inspired Couture, 2019
Image: Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images
In 2019, Viktor & Rolf’s Spring-Summer collection turned heads with its meme-inspired couture. Titled “Fashion Statements,” the designs featured bold slogans and exaggerated silhouettes made from nearly 9,000 yards of tulle. It was a humorous yet poignant commentary on internet culture and self-expression.
12. Gigi Hadid x Chanel, Spring 2020
Image: Getty Images
Gigi Hadid took control during Chanel’s Spring 2020 show when a prankster crashed the runway. Hadid gracefully escorted the intruder offstage, becoming a viral sensation and reminding everyone that even the runway isn’t immune to unexpected moments.
13. Kylie Jenner and Doja Cat x Schiaparelli, Spring 2023
Image: Stephane Feugere/WWD
Schiaparelli’s Spring 2023 couture show caused a stir when Kylie Jenner and Doja Cat arrived in unforgettable ensembles. Jenner wore a velvet gown adorned with a faux lion head, while Doja Cat dazzled in 30,000 Swarovski crystals covering her entire body. Both looks ignited social media.
14. Bella Hadid at Coperni, Spring 2023
Image: Aitor Rosas Sune/WWD
Bella Hadid and Coperni delivered one of the most talked-about moments in fashion when a dress was spray-painted directly onto Hadid’s body during the Spring 2023 show. The viral moment highlighted innovative fabric technology, generating over $26 million in media value.
15. BTS V and BLACKPINK Lisa x Celine, Spring 2023
Image: AP
Chaos ensued when K-pop idols BTS V (Kim Taehyung) and BLACKPINK’s Lisa appeared at Celine’s Spring 2023 men’s show. The frenzy outside the venue led to a mob of fans, forcing all guests to be escorted out backstage. The duo’s appearance solidified the crossover between music and high fashion.
16. Sam Smith x Vivienne Westwood, Fall 2024
Image: WWD
Singer Sam Smith took to the runway twice for Vivienne Westwood’s Fall 2024 show. Their Renaissance-inspired looks included bottomless hot pants and a black mesh halter top paired with a dramatic floor-length wrap dress. Smith’s debut marked a milestone for inclusive representation in fashion.
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