25 January 2026  Street styles and carefully curated guest outfits around Paris Haute Couture Week are often read as early signals of upcoming trends. Yet the core of couture unfolds on the runway and increasingly on screen. Over the years, shows and digital presentations have developed into theatrical, dramaturgical formats in which craftsmanship, narrative and spectacle converge. Against this background, Fashion.at has reviewed the official calendar to identify the key dates and must-see presentations of the Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture season. Paris Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 takes place from Monday, 26 January to Thursday, 29 January 2026, according to the official calendar of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM). Across four days, Paris hosts the highest level of artisanal fashion, with collections created entirely by hand. The schedule includes numerous runway shows and presentations, many of them accessible digitally via livestreams or films revealed after the show. This hybrid format, now firmly established, allows couture to reach a global audience beyond the invited guests. Films and Digital Tradition: Haute Couture on ScreenCouture houses have increasingly embraced digital formats, from livestreams to curated films that extend the narrative of their collections beyond the runway. While fashion films have roots in early cinematic documentation of fashion events dating back to the early 20th century, the practice became widespread through online showcases amplified during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing designers to frame their collections within storylines, themes, or artistic concepts that reach global audiences. These films often provide layered storytelling — from narratives to abstract themes — and serve as a creative extension of the garments themselves.Day-by-Day Must-Watch Highlights26 January — Sculptural Opening and a Major Debut• Schiaparelli (10:00 CET): Always a spectacle of sculptural creativity under Daniel Roseberry, Schiaparelli opens the week with designs that blend surrealism with bold form-making — a perennial sensation for fashion watchers. According to a recent Instagram post, the show's title is "The Agony and the Ecstasy." • Christian Dior (14:30 CET): One of the strongest draws of the week, Jonathan Anderson makes his haute couture debut for Dior — a key moment marking a new creative chapter at the storied maison. The show is available via invitation with livestream options for remote viewing. 27 January — New Leadership at Chanel and Armani's Transition • Chanel (10:00 & 12:00 CET): Matthieu Blazy presents his first haute couture collection for Chanel. The film of the Chanel show will be revealed later in the day (around 14:00 CET), offering broader access to this pivotal presentation. • Giorgio Armani Privé (18:00+ CET): This season also sees couture from Armani Privé under Silvana Armani, continuing the legacy of the house after the passing of Giorgio Armani. Expect refined interpretations of the brand's signature elegance. 28 January — Valentino and Italian Elegance • Valentino (15:00 CET): Under Creative Director Alessandro Michele, Valentino is a central watch-it moment. Michele's couture work continues to build on his vision of romantic craftsmanship and dramatic detail. Other notable brands throughout the week include Stéphane Rolland, Alexis Mabille, Elie Saab, Viktor & Rolf, Zuhair Murad, and rising designers such as Peet Dullaert and Phan Huy — many of whom offer digital access or livestream options. Notable Absences from the Official CalendarUnlike some past seasons, Jean Paul Gaultier and Iris van Herpen are not listed on the FHCM's official Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture calendar.Image: Models and guests arrive at Paris Haute Couture Week, walking past photographers and TV crews in front of a historic Parisian building, capturing the tense, media-driven atmosphere surrounding couture shows. Photo: © Fashion.at / Generated with Grok by xAI |