Paris Fashion Week is about to explode with fresh talent! Get ready to see a wave of international designers making their mark. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode has just dropped the schedule for the January men's and couture shows, and it's packed with exciting debuts.
Forget the same old faces – eight new houses, representing countries from Spain to Saudi Arabia, are set to showcase their collections in the City of Lights. This isn't just about new clothes; it's about a fresh perspective and a global infusion of creativity.
Mark your calendars! From January 20th to 25th, a staggering 67 brands will present their Fall 2026 menswear collections through 35 shows and 32 presentations. Immediately following, from January 26th to 29th, 29 couture houses will unveil their designs.
The menswear extravaganza kicks off on Tuesday at 3:00 PM with Parisian designer Jeanne Friot, making her highly anticipated runway debut. The grand finale on Sunday at 7:30 PM will feature Jacquemus.
But here's where it gets interesting... Two major changes are creating buzz: Véronique Nichanian's final show for Hermès and Jonathan Anderson's second menswear collection for Dior. Both shows have shifted from their usual time slots, adding an element of surprise. Dior is now scheduled for January 21st at 2:30 PM, while Hermès will close the week on January 24th with an 8:00 PM show. What could these schedule changes mean for the direction of these iconic brands?
Of course, mainstays like Louis Vuitton, Junya Watanabe, and Comme des Garçons will hold their usual spots, providing a sense of continuity amidst the change.
In a notable shift, Magliano, the brand helmed by Bologna-based designer Luca Magliano, is swapping the Milan runway for Paris. This is a big move, signaling Paris's continued dominance as a global fashion capital.
And this is the part most people miss... Kenzo is opting for a presentation format this season, showcasing their collection at the former Paris home of founder Kenzo Takada. This intimate setting could offer a more personal and reflective experience.
However, some familiar names are missing from the provisional calendar, including Lanvin, which has been a regular fixture since Peter Copping's debut, and Loewe. Loewe has announced a shift to a co-ed format for their March show, presenting the first men's collection by creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. They plan to return with a dedicated men's show in June. This move towards co-ed shows reflects a broader trend in the industry towards blurring gender lines and presenting collections in a more unified way.
The presentation lineup boasts exciting newcomers, including Eli Russell Linnetz's label, ERL (January 22nd); KML, the Saudi Arabian brand founded by siblings Ahmed and Razan Hassan (a semi-finalist in this year's LVMH Prize); Barcelona-based designer Sonia Carrasco; and Ssstein, founded by Japanese designer Kiichiro Asakawa and winner of the 2025 Fashion Prize of Tokyo. These designers represent a diverse range of backgrounds and aesthetics, promising a vibrant and innovative season.
As per tradition, Patou will unveil its Fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection on the final day of menswear, January 25th, at 3:00 PM.
Moving on to couture, the Spring 2026 season will commence with Schiaparelli at 10:00 AM on January 26th, followed by the usual lineup of Dior, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani Privé.
The Giorgio Armani Privé shows at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM on Tuesday will mark the house's first couture presentation since the passing of founder Giorgio Armani in September. This will undoubtedly be a poignant and emotional moment for the fashion world.
Jean Paul Gaultier is notably absent from the couture calendar this season. After returning to ready-to-wear in October, the brand has announced its next show will be in March, with further details on its next couture collection to be revealed soon. This leaves a void in the schedule, but also creates anticipation for what Gaultier has in store.
Making their couture debuts in January are Greek designer Celia Kritharioti, whose designs have graced the likes of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jennifer Lopez, and Queen Rania of Jordan, and Phan Huy, a Paris-based designer from Vietnam who launched his eponymous couture label in 2023. These additions bring a touch of glamour and emerging talent to the couture scene.
The two incoming couture guests will showcase their collections on the final day, with Huy taking the 1:30 PM slot and Kritharioti at 3:00 PM.
Closing the couture schedule on January 29th at 6:30 PM is Germanier, whose first solo exhibition is currently running at Switzerland's Mudac Museum. This is a testament to the growing recognition of Germanier's innovative and sustainable approach to fashion.
Separately, the French fashion federation announced the arrival of Mercedes-Benz as the exclusive mobility partner of its fashion and couture weeks for 2026. This collaboration underscores the importance of fashion week as a global platform for luxury brands.
So, what do you think about the influx of new talent? Are you excited to see the direction Dior and Hermès will take with their menswear collections? And will the absence of Jean Paul Gaultier be keenly felt? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
