Paris Fashion Week – France 2026

Background & History

Paris Fashion Week (PFW), organized by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) since 1973, is the pinnacle of global fashion, rooted in Paris’s legacy as the birthplace of haute couture. Originating with 19th-century salon shows by designers like Charles Frederick Worth, it gained prominence post-World War II with Christian Dior’s 1947 “New Look,” redefining feminine elegance and establishing Paris as the epicenter of style. By the 1970s, PFW formalized ready-to-wear alongside couture, growing into a biannual spectacle that draws 100,000+ attendees, generates €2.5 billion in economic impact, and sets trends worldwide. Its evolution includes digital livestreams (pioneered in 2020 to reach 1.5 million online viewers) and sustainability initiatives, such as FHCM’s eco-design tools and circular fashion programs, reflecting Paris’s blend of heritage and innovation.

The Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 season, held September 29–October 7, 2025, features 76 runway shows and 36 presentations, a record expansion, with high-profile debuts like Matthieu Blazy at Chanel and Jonathan Anderson at Dior. PFW has launched iconic moments—like Yves Saint Laurent’s 1966 Le Smoking—and nurtured talents through the ANDAM Fashion Award, spotlighting designers like Charles de Vilmorin. The Sphere showroom, launched in 2020, supports emerging brands, while global events like Shenzhen Futian Fashion Day underscore PFW’s international influence. With 60% of shows livestreamed and partnerships with L’Oréal Paris, PFW champions inclusivity (diverse casting, gender-neutral designs) and sustainability, aligning with France’s cultural ethos of “art de vivre” and social progress.

Event Highlights

Paris Fashion Week 2026 Womenswear Spring/Summer will showcase over 100 collections across Paris’s iconic venues, blending avant-garde and classic designs for 100,000+ attendees, including buyers, press, and influencers. The event emphasizes sustainability, diversity, and digital access, with 60% of shows livestreamed globally via FHCM platforms.

• Main Activities or Performances: The official calendar kicks off September 29 with Weinsanto (12:30pm) and Julie Kegels (2pm), peaking with Dior by Jonathan Anderson (October 1, 2:30pm) and Chanel by Matthieu Blazy (October 6, 8pm) at Grand Palais. Other highlights: Margiela (October 2, 6pm), Louis Vuitton (October 6, 7pm), and emerging talents like Vautrait (September 29, 4pm). Off-runway events include the Virgil Abloh exhibition at Grand Palais (September 30, 10am–7:30pm), Roger Vivier presentation (October 2, 12–6pm), and BoF 500 Gala (October 3, 8:30pm). Sphere showroom at Palais de Tokyo (October 1–7) features 10 emerging brands—Charles de Vilmorin, Florentina Leitner, Weinsanto—with digital access via Le New Black.
• Special Traditions or Features: L’Oréal’s Le Défilé (September 29, 9pm) celebrates “Liberté, Égalité, Sororité,” a feminist-themed runway with global ambassadors. Shenzhen Futian Fashion Day (September 29, 6–8pm) fosters East-West exchange. The ANDAM Prize supports new talent, and FHCM’s eco-tools promote low-carbon shows (e.g., recycled materials for sets). Sphere’s curated showroom, backed by DEFI and L’Oréal, is a tradition since 2020, spotlighting creativity and sustainability. Daily street style outside venues like Tuileries draws global photographers.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Street style hotspots at Place Vendôme and Champs-Élysées offer photo ops, while tradeshows like Tranoï (October 1, 10am–7pm) and Premiere Classe (October 2, 9:30am–7pm) showcase accessories. Immersive exhibits like FabriX’s “Tomorrow Was _____” (October 4, 11am–7pm) explore fashion futures, and Messika’s High Jewelry party (October 2, 9pm) blends glamour with networking. Public-access indie shows via Fashion Week Online and pop-up markets in Marais add inclusivity.

Date & Duration

Dates: September 29 – October 7, 2025
Duration: 9 days

Venue / Location

PFW 2026 spans Paris’s 1st, 8th, and 16th arrondissements, with key venues at Grand Palais (Chanel, Dior), Carrousel du Louvre (multi-brand shows), Palais de Tokyo (Sphere showroom, October 1–7), and Le Carreau du Temple (Marais, for indie designers). Off-site locations include industrial lofts in the 11th arr. for avant-garde shows and Grand Palais for the Virgil Abloh exhibition. Paris’s walkable layout and metro connectivity (Lines 1/8/9) make venues accessible, with FHCM shuttles linking major hubs. Regional activations include pop-up shows in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Google Maps Address: Palais de Tokyo, 13 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, France (https://maps.app.goo.gl/palaistokyo).

Ticket Information

Official FHCM shows require accreditation for industry professionals (buyers/press, free via accreditations@fhcm.paris). Public access is limited to off-calendar/indie shows through platforms like Fashion Week Online or Sincura Tickets, sold online or at venues. Options include single show tickets, day passes, and VIP packages (front-row, backstage). No lottery; first-come, first-served, non-refundable. Livestreams (60% of shows) are free on fhcm.paris, designer websites, or Instagram. Student/emerging pro discounts available; contact info@fhcm.paris for issues.

Ticket Pricing (USD, based on 2025 EUR rates, €1 ≈ $1.10):

• Minimum: Indie show single tickets ~$55 USD (general admission).
• Maximum: VIP packages ~$18,000 USD (multi-show, front-row, receptions). Day passes ~$110–$1,100 USD.

Special Seating or VIP Options: VIP packages include priority entry, front-row seats, and gift bags; accessible seating (ramps, audio guides) at major venues—email accessibility@fhcm.paris for accommodations.

Contact Information

Email: info@fhcm.paris (general inquiries); accreditations@fhcm.paris (press/buyers); sphere@fhcm.paris (showroom buyers); presse@fhcm.paris (press).
Key Staff: Guillaume de Seynes (FHCM President); Pascal Montélimard (Communications Director); Alexandre Samson (Creative Advisor).
Phone: +33 1 44 53 34 00 (English/French support, 9am–6pm).
Website: https://www.fhcm.paris/en/paris-fashion-week; https://www.fhcm.paris/en/paris-fashion-week/calendar (schedule).
Social Media: @fhcm_paris (Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, TikTok).
Press/Volunteers: Press via presse@fhcm.paris; volunteer roles (ushers, info desks) via info@fhcm.paris (apply by August 2025, training provided).
Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Multilingual support; digital showroom access via Le New Black invites.

Cultural Experience

PFW 2026 embodies Paris’s “art de vivre,” where Haussmannian boulevards, Seine bridges, and gilded cafés become stages for street style as performance art, echoing the city’s legacy from 18th-century Versailles opulence to today’s gender-fluid runways. Attendees don French chic—think silk scarves, tailored trench coats, and bold accessories—while mingling with influencers outside Tuileries or editors debating Blazy’s Chanel vision at Café de Flore. The week’s feminist ethos, amplified by L’Oréal’s “Liberté, Égalité, Sororité” Défilé, ties to France’s revolutionary ideals, with diverse casting and eco-conscious designs reflecting inclusivity.

Cultural immersion extends beyond runways: the Virgil Abloh exhibition at Grand Palais explores fashion’s hip-hop crossover, while Tranoï tradeshows in Marais showcase global artisans, from Japanese kimono-inspired knits to African beadwork. Evening galas like BoF 500 (October 3) evoke Belle Époque salons, with Seine cruises under amber lights. Pop-up markets in Saint-Germain offer vintage Hermès scarves, and FHCM panels on sustainability (e.g., circular fashion) align with Paris’s Enlightenment values, creating a vibrant dialogue of style, art, and social change.

Food & Drinks

PFW transforms Paris’s dining scene into a culinary runway, blending French gastronomy with sustainable, global influences. Must-tries:

• Croque-monsieur: Toasted ham-and-cheese with béchamel at Angelina (226 Rue de Rivoli, near Tuileries).
• Tarte tatin: Caramelized apple tart with crème fraîche at Brasserie Emil (8th arr., editor hangout).
• French Wines: Chablis or rosé de Provence at Gigi (Eiffel Tower views, 15 Av. de New York).

Fusion bites reflect PFW’s diversity: Shenzhen-inspired dumplings at Palais de Tokyo pop-ups, Moroccan harissa-spiced canapés at Messika’s jewelry party, or vegan lavender macarons for eco-conscious attendees. Late-night: Crêpes suzette from Marais street vendors or Moët & Chandon flutes at Comité Colbert events. Sustainable options like foraged herb salads and local oyster platters align with FHCM’s green guidelines, served at venues like Le Shack (former printing press, 9th arr.).

Getting There

By Air: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), 30 km north, serves EU/US hubs (e.g., Air France from New York, 7 hours, €300+; easyJet from London, 1 hour, €50). From CDG: RER B train (€12, 30 min to Châtelet-Les Halles, near venues); Bolt/taxis (~$70, 45 min). Orly (ORY), 20 km south: Orlybus (€10, 30 min to Denfert-Rochereau, metro to venues).
By Train: Gare du Nord (Eurostar from London, 2.5 hours, €100+); Gare de Lyon (TGV from Milan, 7 hours, €80+). Metro Lines 1/8/9 link to venues.
Public Transport: Navigo pass (€30/week) covers metro/RER/buses; Line 1 (Tuileries, Champs-Élysées) and Line 9 (Palais de Tokyo) connect hubs. FHCM shuttles for accredited guests.
Parking: Limited (€30/day at Grand Palais); book via Yespark app. Eco-Tip: Vélib’ e-bikes (€5/day) or electric Bolt rideshares (~$10) for low-emission travel.

Accommodation Options

Stay in the 1st/8th arrondissements for proximity to Grand Palais/Tuileries. Budget: Hôtel du Jeu de Paume (~$150/night, Marais boutique, metro access); Generator Paris (~$80, stylish hostel, 10th arr.). Mid-Range: Hôtel Plaza Athénée (~$800, fashion icon on Avenue Montaigne, Dior nearby); Le Meurice (~$600, Tuileries, historic chic). Boutique: Hôtel de Vigny (~$300, Opéra, rooftop views). Splurge: The Peninsula Paris (~$1,500, 16th arr., concierge for show access). Apartments: Airbnb Saint-Germain Loft (~$200/night, kitchen). Book via Booking.com 4–6 months early for fashion packages, Navigo passes, free WiFi.