Requiem for Party Dresses Lost

The return never quite happened. So what do we wear now? Schiaparelli, Chanel and Dior grapple gorgeously with the question.

PARIS — The last time the couture collections took place was the first time most of the fashion world, that traveling circus that reunites only during shows, had seen one another after more than a year of pandemic trauma.

That was in July 2021, and the streets of Paris were afizz with excitement; air kisses were exchanged for full-body hugs and there was talk that a corner had been turned. Vaccines were here. Restaurants were reopening; festivals were taking place. Everyone would need something to wear!

Designers would give it to them. Fashion capital-F was back, baby.