Paris in autumn is a dream, but wandering its streets in my own Harvey Nichols – Dubai, curated armor, a gray Staud layering set topped with a burgundy patent-leather Stella McCartney coat (my personal coup de foudre from the store), felt like starring in my own little fashion fairy tale. And yes, the coat is very much visible in the video, waving victoriously in the Paris breeze as I made my rounds through the arrondissements.
I’m Jessica Bounni, Managing Editor at BURO247ME, and I went to Paris to cover five of Harvey Nichols – Dubai’s hottest brands for the Spring/Summer 2026 season: Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Alaïa, Balenciaga, and Chloé. Armed with that outfit (and a fair dose of caffeine and curiosity), I set out to capture the mood, the movement, and the magic of each show, where style met story, and the streets of Paris became my runway.
STELLA MCCARTNEY & THE JEANS THAT COULD CLEAN THE CITY AIR.
If anyone could make sustainability utterly desirable, it’s Stella McCartney. At Paris Fashion Week, she debuted her pollution-eating “Pure-Tech” denim, a groundbreaking innovation that actually absorbs air pollutants, yes, your jeans could help clean the city air. Pair that with her dedication to cruelty-free fashion, from plant-based alternatives to feathers to her unwavering rejection of leather and exotic skins, and you see why she’s in a league of her own.
The collection was immaculate: easy-to-wear, perfectly tailored pieces that feel effortless yet luxurious. The ethical feather alternatives, produced in collaboration with UK startup FEVVERS, proved that fashion week doesn’t have to come at the expense of animals or the planet.
Personally? I loved it. Who would have thought that sustainability could look this chic, this covetable, this make-you-want-every-piece-in-your-wardrobe kind of fashionable? Stella doesn’t just design clothes; she makes you fall in love with responsible fashion.
WHO NEEDS WINGS? FROM JERSEY TOPS TO RINGS, FEATHERS RULE VICTORIA BECKHAM’S RUNWAY.
Victoria Beckham’s SS26 collection at Paris Fashion Week revisited the playful experimentation of girlhood dressing, inspired by her own adolescence and her perspective as a mother. The show captured feminine glamour with a modern twist, erosion-sprayed feather plumes hugging tops and dresses, and even appearing on rings and earrings. Personally, feathers are my favorite; they instantly lift a look and make it feel chic.
The collection celebrated youthful self-styling while maintaining Beckham’s signature sophistication. Celebrities like Shanina Shaik and Eva Longoria were spotted in the audience, making the show a star-studded event. This collection felt fresh, personal, and completely wearable, showing that fun and elegance can coexist effortlessly.
FRINGES, COCOON OUTFITS AND THAT SNAKESKIN JACKET: ALAÏA TRANSCENDS.
My favorite show of the season? Alaïa. From the moment I stepped in, it was unlike anything I had ever experienced in fashion, a full sensory awakening. Screens on the floor, mirrors on the ceiling, all reflecting the sculptural silhouettes and accentuating every detail. Cocoon-shaped jackets with three zippers, dresses that seemed to cling by a pinky finger promising they wouldn’t let go, the craftsmanship and drama were mesmerizing.
And yes, I spotted Kim Kardashian and Cynthia Erivo in the front row, living proof that these pieces belong not just on the runway but on magazine covers. That snakeskin jacket? A showstopper. And the red cocoon dress, I can already picture Kim on a glossy cover, radiating power and elegance.
The black cape floated like a shadow, while the red dress ignited the space. Pieter Mulier’s double-projecting mirrors turned the room into a surreal, almost virtual space, we weren’t just watching a show; we were inside it. Goosebumps all the way through. Even Raf Simons couldn’t hold back tears at the end.
This was more than a collection, it was a declaration of a new era in fashion. Bold, innovative, unforgettable.
BALENCIAGA’S PALATE CLEANSE: PICCIOLI’S FASHION AWAKENING.
Walking into the Balenciaga show was like sipping a cool, aromatic mint after a heavy feast, a welcome palate cleanse. Indeed, the room was perfumed with Getaria, the house’s new fragrance, rounding out the sensory experience. The debut look, a sleek black sack dress, was a signal: Balenciaga returns to its architectural roots. From there, the collection undulated between Cristóbal’s sculptural spirit and Piccioli’s own playful modernism. Boxy cuts slanted with deliberation; bubble hems timed to the walk; babydoll flounces in lavender notes; trousers that curve instead of constrain. Lines blur. Light blooms. In short: the heartbeat returns to Balenciaga.
Instead of erasing the house’s past, Pierpaolo Piccioli opted to converse with it, not by rewriting the archives but by continuing to honor them. It was a masterclass in craftsmanship. Construction is everything, each piece is shaped through the cut and proportion of the material, letting the fabric, color, and shape work together to create sculptural silhouettes. The house’s signature gazar fabric is reinvented, and knitwear transforms archival fabrics into fresh, modern textures.
We especially loved the use of leather, every leather outfit is a major crush. The bags are next-level, stylish and sculptural, instantly becoming our favorites. Textured fabrics with feather-like elements are gorgeous, adding movement and dimension to the collection while keeping it wearable.
If fashion shows were meals, this one was the palate cleanser…
FLORALS? ALWAYS. DRAPING? MASTERED. EFFORTLESS? ABSOLUTELY: CHLOÉ’S SS26 ODE TO FREEDOM
Florals for spring? At Chloé, the answer is a resounding YES, but with a fresh twist. Under the creative direction of Chemena Kamali, the collection celebrated feminine freedom with silhouettes that feel considered yet effortlessly chic, blending bohemian ease with modern tailoring.
Where this collection truly shines is in the couture-level draping and styling. Each piece seemed to float, achieving volume and movement that almost feels alive. Pleating, knotting, and wrapping were executed with precision, creating layers that cascade, twist, and flow in ways you wouldn’t expect from ready-to-wear. It’s couture-inspired magic, but wearable, playful, and light on its feet.
From flowing dresses that dance with every step to knotted tops that feel sculptural yet easygoing, the collection strikes a perfect balance between artful design and everyday elegance. It’s a reminder that Chloé isn’t just about looking beautiful; it’s about moving beautifully too.
The result? A wardrobe that feels alive, effortlessly elegant, and totally modern, because at Chloé, spring doesn’t just arrive. It floats in.
You can find all these brands (and so many more) at Harvey Nichols – Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, starting with this season’s hottest FW25/26 staples. Think of them as your fashion-week-approved must-haves, the kind you’ll wear on repeat now and can’t wait to restyle next season, too.
