Paris Fashion Week: What got Chinese netizens talking?

Paris’ Spring 2025 fashion week wrapped up yesterday. True to form, headline-grabbing moments arrived aplenty, from Bella Hadid’s runway return at Saint Laurent to Alessandro Michele’s much-debated Valentino debut. Comprising 70 shows and 38 presentations from both new and established brands, this season’s Paris Fashion Week (PFW) calendar got China’s fashion-savvy netizens talking. Granted, it was the heavy hitters, such as Loewe, Balenciaga, and Chanel, which dominated the conversation on China’s socials, generating a cumulative total of $7.2 million in Media Value (a metric used to measure the value of a brand and attending influencer’s content across social platforms including Xiaohongshu, Instagram, Weibo, and Douyin). China’s homegrown talent continued to maintain a strong showing this season, with names such as Didu, Caroline Hu, and Vivienne Tam upholding the mainland’s reputation in the global industry. “I was thrilled to see how much the guests enjoyed the show. Their reactions were incredibly rewarding, and now I can finally take a bit of a breather,” Di Du, founder of rising label Didu, tells Jing Daily. Founded in 2019, her brand is comfortably asserting itself as a cult success among Paris’ style set. “The feedback from buyers has been fantastic,” she says. “They’ve praised the collection for its strength, freshness, and wearability.” New York City-based, Guangzhou-born designer Vivienne Tam was also content with the response to her PFW show. “The feedback is a heartening one. The buyers love the colors, which were derived from nature – the items are absolutely wearable for everyday life. They are amazed by how the traditional brocade turned into cool fashionable clothes. Positive feedback enhances the confidence of my salesforce, and I can foresee better sales turnover from this collection.” Heritage luxury houses continued to reign supreme in terms of internet virality. Here, incorporating data from influencer marketing and analytics platforms Lefty.io and WeArisma, Jing Daily examines the digital media impact of key brands at Paris Fashion Week in China. Louis Vuitton Top influencer [Lefty]: Liu Yi Fei Earned media value [WeArisma]: $524.1k Nicolas Ghesquière’s Louis Vuitton Spring 2025 collection showcased a fusion of architectural design with fluidity, emphasizing “soft power.” The show featured 10 versions of the iconic Petite Malle handbag against a striking set of over 1,000 trunks, while the clothes balanced structured jackets with flowing, airy dresses. Ghesquière’s experimental approach resulted in one of his lightest and most approachable collections yet, blending strength and movement in the silhouettes. Balenciaga Top influencer [Lefty]: Gogoboi Earned media value [WeArisma]: $1.7 million Balenciaga’s mononymous Demna laid (almost) everything bare for Spring 2024, introducing a new perspective for the brand through a flurry of innerwear – both encrusted and embroidered – alongside trompe l’oeil lingerie. As models stomped down the runway to a frenetic soundtrack of Britney Spears’ Gimme More, they progressively became more covered up, from knit jumpers and fur coats thrown over briefs and suspenders to prim pleated dresses tempered with wrap-around sunglasses. Saint Laurent Top influencer [WeArisma]: @小象王国 (Little Elephant Kingdom) Media value [WeArisma]: $1.8m Power dressing was served with a hefty helping of eclectic eveningwear at Saint Laurent, marrying creative director Anthony Vacarello’s eye for androgyny with the rich, opulent spirit of Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic Marrakech gardens. Making her way into the boardroom was Bella Hadid, who made an unexpected return to the catwalk in a double-breasted suit and tie combo. Hadid’s cameo unsurprisingly lit up social media, contributing to Saint Laurent’s media value of $1.8 million. Balmain Top influencer [Lefty]: Qi Wei Media value [WeArisma]: $4 million Would you wear a gown with your face on it? The Balmain girl would. For Spring 2025, Creative Director Olivier Rousteing stepped away from the season’s animal print and boho trends, instead opting for gowns emblazoned with female profiles — including none other than fashion’s current muse, Kylie Jenner. Rousteing’s play on proportions took center stage, with exaggerated shoulder pads twisted so dramatically they evoked devilish horns, adding an unexpected edge to the collection’s sharp silhouettes. Chloé Top influencer [Lefty]: Yao Chen Earned media value [Lefty]: $1.9 million Chemena Kamali’s second collection for Chloé showcased a confident evolution of her debut, blending the brand’s history with fresh, casual elements like high-waist, flared jeans and cheeky designs. Drawing inspiration from past Chloé collections by Karl Lagerfeld, Kamali reinterpreted pieces like waist shapers and lace bloomers, offering a modern take on sexy dressing for 2025. The collection, highlighted by floral chiffon dresses and playful accessories like kitten-heel jelly sandals, reflected Kamali’s deep understanding of the brand’s legacy while resonating with Chloé’s contemporary audience. Rick Owens Top influencer [Lefty]: Urprotein Earned media value [Lefty]: $36,000 Rick Owens’ “Hollywood” collection drew inspiration from the rebellious, eccentric world of pre-Code Hollywood and the outliers who embody that spirit, with references to films by Jack Smith, Kenneth Anger, and Ken Russell. The collection features a blend of tough tailoring and delicate materials like silk chiffon and tulle, with sustainable fabrics such as GOTS-certified organic silk and biodegradable cupro. Front row guests included music industry A-listers such as Cardi B, Offset, and Jared Leto. Loewe Top influencer [Lefty]: Yang Mi Earned media value [Lefty]: $4.5 million Jonathan Anderson’s Loewe has made a name for itself through its uncanny take on the often mundane basics – think buttery leather coats warped into floaty capes. For Spring 2025, Anderson continued to play with this sense of lightness. Diaphanous dresses floated atop crinolines, barely there feather blouses skimmed model’s torsos, and blown out skirts appeared as if suspended mid-breeze. But, in true Anderson style, there’s always an unexpected twist; in this case, the weightless silhouettes were anchored by oversized men’s Oxford shoes or chunky loafers. Chanel Top influencer [Lefty]: Shan Yi Chun Earned media value [Lefty]: $4.9 million After finding itself without a creative director post the departure of Virginie Viard in June, Chanel’s directorial limbo seemingly hasn’t stunted the brand’s vision. Under the artistic leadership of the maison’s design team, the label rolled out a more-refined take on its quintessential house codes; the tweed was still there, but pared-back styling and new accessories, including quilted bucket bags, made for a simpler perspective as the brand finds its footing. There are no plans to bring in a new creative director as of yet, although rumors have been swirling since Viard’s exit. The current frontrunners? Phoebe Philo and John Galliano. Miu Miu Top influencer: Liu Hao Chen Media value (WeArisma): $257.3k It isn’t a Miu Miu runway without an A-list cameo; this season, the house welcomed a slew of famous faces into its procession, including Alexa Chung, Willem Dafoe, Hilary Swank and Thai star and brand ambassador Minnie. As for the clothes, sporty windbreakers were layered over bloomers, setting the tone for an uber-feminine collection of petticoats, peekaboo undies, pinafores, T-shirts-slash-onesies, gauzy white dresses left unbuttoned at the back, and tailored coats held together with lashings of belts. Dior Top influencer: Di Li Re Ba Earned media value (Lefty): $18 million Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Spring 2025 Dior show was a continuation of her championing of female empowerment, featuring bold women and music from Gen Z artists like FKA Twigs and Charli XCX. The collection drew inspiration from the Paris Olympics and Dior’s historical ties to sports, emphasizing athletic themes. Despite a dip in owner LVMH’s 2024 revenue, Dior remains strong, showcasing its cultural influence with exhibitions in China and engaging younger generations through daring designs and modern music. The show also highlighted Dior’s focus on the Asian market, with high-profile appearances from stars like Dilraba Dilmurat, Blackpink’s Jisoo, and others.

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Paris Fashion Week: What got Chinese netizens talking?