Cultural Connections and a Biblical Narrative Close Haute Couture Week

Haute Couture Week has come to an end in Paris, bringing the Autumn/Winter 2026/2027 season to a spectacular close. The final day opened with an impressive presentation by Celia Kritharioti, whose striking set design transformed the runway into a true frozen fairytale. Jennifer Lopez’s appearance became one of the most talked-about moments of the day.

Unlike the packed schedules of the previous days, the finale unfolded in a calmer, more contemplative atmosphere, allowing the collections themselves to take centre stage. Through their work, the designers once again explored the power of femininity, the continuous evolution of haute couture, and the preservation of tradition, presenting a fresh perspective on contemporary couture.

We invite you to discover the most memorable collections from the closing day.

Celia Kritharioti

The biblical image of the Garden of Eden frozen in ice served as the inspiration for the collection. The Greek designer explores the contrast between innocence and temptation, light and darkness, transforming the familiar story into a contemporary fashion interpretation.

The colour palette is built around black, white, silver, red, and gold, with each shade carrying its own symbolic meaning. The brand’s signature silhouettes are crafted from translucent fabrics, white lace, and black velvet, creating a dialogue between openness and mystery.

Red runs throughout the collection as a symbol of passion and the forbidden fruit. The looks are enriched with gold-thread embroidery, silver embellishments, and thousands of Swarovski crystals resembling frozen drops of ice. The shimmering details intensify the impression of a magical winter world.

At the heart of the collection is a powerful woman who does not regret her choice and moves forward with confidence. She does not leave her Eden behind but makes it part of her own story. In this way, Celia Kritharioti demonstrates that beauty, strength, and femininity can exist in harmony, even amid ice and cold.

Photo PR Celia Kritharioti

Photo PR Celia Kritharioti

Photo PR Celia Kritharioti

Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali also reflects on beauty and timeless values, turning to memory and inner strength as forces capable of bringing people together even during difficult times.

The collection is inspired by centuries-old cultural connections linking the Gulf countries, Syria, and other regions of the Arab world. The designer draws upon a heritage shaped by intertwined traditions of craftsmanship, architecture, poetry, music, trade, and migration.

Dawn becomes the central image of the collection: the moment when the first rays of sunlight illuminate the desert and the waters of the Gulf, symbolising renewal and hope. This transition from darkness to light forms the foundation of the collection’s entire artistic concept.

Minimalist silhouettes combine the precision of architectural forms with fluid movement, creating a sense of lightness and harmony. Intricate embroidery appears to continue stories passed down through generations, transforming each look into a vessel of cultural memory.

The palette unfolds through shades of warm sand, ivory, amber, champagne, and soft metallic shimmer, echoing the colours of the morning sky. Traditional techniques are reinterpreted through a contemporary lens, combining respect for heritage with a modern vision of haute couture.

The collection becomes not only a demonstration of couture craftsmanship but also a symbol of continuity, unity, and faith in a new beginning.

Photo: PR Rami Al Ali

Photo: PR Rami Al Ali

Photo: PR Rami Al Ali

RVNG

The RVNG team approaches the idea of continuous transformation as an endless process rather than a final destination. Jordan Huyatt proposes viewing haute couture as living architecture that reveals itself only through interaction with the human body.

Each look transforms with movement, revealing new contours and an ever-changing silhouette. Beneath the garments lies a complex internal structure that allows lightweight fabrics to take on expressive sculptural volume while preserving a sense of airiness.

Layered silk tulle and velvet combine fluidity with technical precision, while fringes embroidered with glass beads intensify the dynamism of every movement. The brand deliberately experiments with scale, allowing volumes to extend beyond conventional boundaries before returning them to harmonious proportions.

Precise draping and meticulous handcraft unite opposing qualities, creating a balance between discipline and freedom of form. Black becomes the collection’s main expressive device, emphasising the architectural structure of the silhouettes, while saturated colours provide emotional accents.

This season, clothing does not exist separately from the person wearing it. Instead, it becomes an extension of movement, character, and inner state.

Photo PR RVNG

Photo PR RVNG

Photo PR RVNG