Paris Fashion Week Designer Debuts

By: Hailey Bhatt

The Fall 2025 season of Paris Fashion Week was all about fresh energy and bold

moves. With Julian Klausner at Dries Van Noten, Sarah Burton stepping into Givenchy,

and Haider Ackermann reviving Tom Ford, each collection thrived. From the setting of

the Paris Opera Garnier to the standing ovation at Ackermann’s show, these debuts

were nothing short of iconic.

Julian Klausner at Dries Van Noten:

At the breathtaking Paris Opera Garnier, Julian Klausner proved he’s the perfect fit for

Dries Van Noten. He paid tribute to the Belgian designer’s rich history, weaving together

opulent fabrics, deep colors, and unexpected embellishments. His collection felt both

nostalgic and fresh—think rich fabrics, deep colors, and the perfect mix of drama and

ease. Klausner described his references as “sprinkles of another time,” infusing a new

sense of bodily sensuality into the collection.

Picture this: sharp stirrup pants and ultra-skinny trousers (with undone buttons at the

ankle for that effortlessly cool vibe) paired with oversized, flowy tops. Dries’ signature

prints were toned down into chic stripes, while exotic leather belts pulled everything together. And those villainous coats? Total main-character energy.

Sarah Burton’s Givenchy

Sarah Burton’s Givenchy debut was all about embracing everything it means to be a

woman today—powerful, sexy, and effortlessly put-together. It was a masterclass in

understated elegance.

She gave us hourglass blazers accentuating the female form and sheer mesh dresses

for that night-out moment and a sultry counterpoint. And the accessories? Massive

gemstone earrings and oversized leather bows, giving major

old-Hollywood-meets-modern-glam.

Burton also reinvented the little black dress: Chantilly lace in a 1950s silhouette,

chopped into a mini. And if you’re a trench coat girl, her couture-inspired version with a

cocoon cape back is next-level.

Accessories played a bold role, with oversized jewel earrings and exaggerated leather

scarves tied into bows. Burton’s collection captured the essence of modern femininity

with precision and grace.

Haider Ackermann’s Tom Ford:

Haider Ackermann’s debut for Tom Ford was a revelation—one that even Ford himself

stood to applaud. Haider Ackermann brought a fresh perspective to Tom Ford with his

mix of sharp 80s Wall Street influence.

His dangerously tailored suits (’80s-style banker shirts, cropped double-breasted

blazers) were paired with softer, flowing trousers—giving that perfect mix of power and

mystery. Many of the models strutted the runway in sinister black gloves, adding to the

drama.

“When you think about Tom Ford, you think about the night,” Ackermann remarked. “But

perhaps I am more the morning after: still wearing the shirt, but with a cashmere coat

and loafers.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulated the effortless cool of his designs,

which reimagined Ford’s legacy with a softer, more nuanced take on power dressing.