Beyond The Runway: What I Took Away From Paris Fashion Week SS27
By Kiri Johnston | 9th October 2026After a week in Paris for Spring/Summer 2027 Fashion Week, I’ve come home with an overflowing camera roll full of runway looks, a suitcase bursting at the seams and plenty to unpack beyond my luggage.
There’s a difference between following Paris Fashion Week from Australia and actually being there. Seeing the clothes in person, getting close enough to appreciate the details, watching the people arriving at shows and observing what everyone is wearing between appointments gives you a much better understanding of what’s happening beyond the runway. And while every fashion house had its own story to tell this season, a few things stood out to me.
Fashion is getting dressed up again
For a while, fashion has been dominated by restraint. Minimalism, understated luxury, beautifully made basics and an almost deliberate avoidance of anything too attention-seeking. But Paris Fashion Week SS27 suggested we’re ready for more. Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent show was a perfect example, with gold, black and unapologetic glamour beneath the Eiffel Tower. At Dior, Jonathan Anderson embraced transparency, asymmetry and intricate detailing, bringing a fresh perspective to the house’s established codes.
This wasn’t a rejection of minimalism, but a willingness to take more risks. There was colour, texture, personality and a renewed appreciation for the pleasure of getting dressed. After seasons of playing it safe, designers were having more fun with their collections.
The details matter more than ever
One of my favourite experiences was attending the Dior Summer 2027 re-see. Having the opportunity to examine a collection away from the runway completely changes how you appreciate it. Silk mousseline, lace, organza, sheer tailoring and intricate embroidery were all part of Jonathan Anderson’s vision for the house. Pieces that look beautiful in photographs become even more impressive when you can see the construction and understand the materials.
The accessories were equally impressive, from the delicate ribbons of the Dior Bow Sandal and flower-inspired heels to new interpretations of the Saddle bag, including a suede iteration that immediately caught my attention. It’s easy to get caught up in the imagery of a runway show, but seeing these pieces in person reminded me how much can be missed through a screen.
The streets are telling their own story
Something I kept noticing throughout the week was the amount of cream and tonal dressing. At Dior, outside The Row and between presentations, I saw different interpretations of the same palette. Kendall Jenner in a tonal tank and trench, a Dutch attendee wearing a vintage coat sourced in Japan, and plenty of beautifully considered looks in shades of ivory, butter and beige.
What interested me was how differently everyone approached it. Some were impeccably tailored, others more relaxed, with vintage pieces and contrasting accessories. For all the bold statements happening on the runway, the streets offered a reminder that great personal style doesn’t always need to compete for attention. Sometimes it’s the simplest looks that stay with you.
There’s a younger energy in luxury
Another standout was getting an up-close look at Burberry Summer 2027. The collection had a noticeably younger attitude, with low-slung denim, silver chains, oversized buckles, acid green, clashing prints and soft leather sitting alongside the house’s familiar checks and trench coats. A bubble-hem trench in Dahlia pink silk taffeta was particularly memorable, as were the intricate floral embellishments, some requiring around 100 hours of beading per coat.
It was fresh, a little rebellious and still unmistakably Burberry. The collection reflected a wider shift across luxury fashion, with established houses finding ways to appeal to a new generation without abandoning what makes them recognisable. The strongest collections managed to do both, taking familiar signatures and giving them a completely different attitude.
Australian fashion belongs in the conversation
A personal highlight was visiting the Australian Fashion Council’s debut Australian Fashion Rooms at Galerie Poggi. Seeing 12 Australian designers represented during Paris Fashion Week, including Romance Was Born, Paolo Sebastian, ESSE Studios and Ngali, was particularly exciting to see in a Parisian setting. The showroom brought together designers with vastly different perspectives, from First Nations design practices and cultural storytelling to contemporary tailoring and experimental silhouettes.
Australian fashion has much more to offer internationally than the relaxed, resort-driven aesthetic we’re often associated with. Following the changes to Australian Fashion Week earlier this year, seeing local designers presented to international buyers and media in Paris was a significant moment. There’s an incredible depth of design coming out of Australia, and I’d love to see more of our designers recognised on this scale.
Personal style is still the most interesting trend
My biggest takeaway from Paris Fashion Week 2026 is that the best-dressed people weren’t necessarily the ones wearing the most expensive or recognisable pieces. They were the people who looked comfortable in their own style, mixing vintage with luxury, experimenting with proportions, wearing something completely different from everyone else or simply knowing exactly what works for them.
There wasn’t one particular look everyone was chasing, and that was one of the most exciting things about the week. Fashion is moving in several directions at once, with individuality taking precedence over following a prescribed aesthetic. I find that far more interesting than everyone dressing the same.
After a week of shows, presentations, appointments and a ridiculous amount of walking, I’ve returned home inspired to be a little more adventurous with my own wardrobe. Because ultimately, the best thing fashion can do is make you want to get dressed.
