These 5 Trends Ruled the PFW SS22 Runways

It’s no secret that Paris Fashion Week may just be the most anticipated of the Fashion Month set – and rightfully so. Does it really ever disappoint? Nonetheless, this season followed suit with impressive collections that ranged from sleek and sexy at Saint Laurent and Balmain to nostalgic and flirty at the likes of Miu Miu, Chanel and Giambattista Valli, and the return of long-over-long layering at Gauchere and Acne Studios, to name a few.

All in all, creativity was certainly resparked for the Week’s return to in-person events, and although drastically different in appearance, the underlying tone of celebration and "having fun" with fashion once again rang true across runways. Read on for the city's most notable trends of the Spring/Summer 2022 season.

The Layered Look

From Left to Right: Gauchère, Acne Studios, Minuit

You may be having flashbacks to the early aughts as long-on-long layering makes its comeback. Whether it's a dress or tunic overtop a pair of full-length pants or a skirt worn as a top layer to leggings as seen at Acne Studios, this is a popular styling cue that's on the rise, especially when it comes to knits. The key? A play on color and texture makes this fresh.

Get a Clue(less)

From Left to Right: Chanel, Lanvin, Miu Miu

The late '90s and early '00s have officially reached the luxury market. While they may not be literal renditions of Cher a la Clueless, Paris designers offered dressed-up takes on the inspiration with mini-skirt suits and cropped knitwear. Plus, sweet shades of pink were a favorite (see Chanel and Lanvin above) for leaning into this trend.

Lover and a Fighter

From Left to Right: Balmain, Saint Laurent, Courrèges

This isn't a fairytale love story but a dark romance for Spring/Summer 2022. Sultry sensibilities were clearly on the mind for designers with formfitting catsuits becoming an emerging favorite, peek-a-boo cutouts, and lots of leather making an appearance on the warm-weathered runway. While London leaned into this notion too, their takes on the trend felt more flirtatious and casual while Paris read sophisicated and sexy with just enough edge.

Candy Shop Shades

From Left to Right: Valentino, Christian Dior, Givenchy

Sweet candy shop shades were a favorite on the Paris runways with designers like Valentino, Christian Dior, Chanel and Givenchy opting in to this playful palette. To note, while these shades read young and lighthearted, they were utilized for suiting and slinky dresses that may feel juxtaposed to the colors' connotation.

Bows + Bubbles

From Left to Right: Andrew GN, Patou, Giambattista Valli

This season, Paris designers utilized tongue-in-cheek extras with bows and bubble volume reigning supreme. Bows can be found punctuating a feminine frock like at Giambattista Valli and Andrew GN pictured here or lavishly strung on a neckline per Patou. In terms of volume, bubble hems were key across runways, in addition to balloon sleeves and overall full-skirt silhouettes

Stay tuned for our overall market assessment of the Spring/Summer 2022 season in the coming weeks.