At Paris Fashion Week, designers were all about ‘office glam’

The Fall-Winter 2025 shows offered new takes on corporate dressing and a few nods to the late American filmmaker David Lynch.

At the Fall-Winter 2025 edition of Paris Fashion Week, which came to a close on Tuesday, the schedule was packed with megawatt shows. Notably, there was a wave of major designer debuts, including Julian Klausner helming Dries Van Noten following the founder’s departure, Sarah Burton stepping into Givenchy, and Haider Ackermann reviving Tom Ford, each bringing a fresh perspective to the storied houses. Across the nine-day event, designers largely kept a safe distance from overt political statements and instead leaned into offering a space for escapism and more subtle explorations of empowerment. There were also retro-inspired looks and adventurous takes on office attire, as well as a few nods to the filmmaker David Lynch, who died in January. “We’re moving away from the ‘quiet luxury’ wave… I see a lot of happiness, humor and irony,” Alix Morabito, buying director for womenswear for French department store chain Galeries Lafayette, told CNN as she reflected on a week of “rational and playful” styles. For Morabito, that’s much needed in fashion. “(Brands are) reconnecting with people by offering something focused, but drawing them in through something fun,” she said. Corporate dressing seemed to be top of several designers’ minds as a full return to the office gains ground. As Ackermann unveiled his first collection for Tom Ford, the Antwerp-trained designer found common ground with the Texan founder as he explored desire and power dressing in all its forms. This included a new take on the brand’s signature “Perfecto” biker jacket, which Ackermann molded into a razor-sharp tailored ensemble; a crimson leather trench coat paired with matching red lips for a Hitchcockian feel; and a dusty pink slim suit contrasted with an acid green shirt — an iconic shade from Tom Ford’s Gucci heyday. At Stella McCartney, the working woman aesthetic ran strong. The show took place in an open-space office setting, complete with mugs and stationery. As guests including actor Cameron Diaz, Vogue’s Anna Wintour and model Paris Jackson sat at desks, models walked to the beat of “Work It” by Canadian musician Marie Davidson, wearing broad-shouldered ‘80s jackets, reimagined pencil skirts with added pockets, oversized coats with a drop waist, and tote handbags that could fit a laptop.