Reporting from Paris

A first timer's take.

At Paris Fashion Week, creativity wasn’t dead—at least not yet. As a first-timer, that was my gut instinct. My first full dive into the "real" menswear madness, and I was already picking my spots. Rasmus, our Buying Director had made sure to fix a line-up of some of the most exciting brands, while i was here. One of them, Meta Campania Collective, led by Jon Strassbourg, had my attention. The Paris-based brand’s take on modern luxury—a mix of sharp tailoring and understated, oversized knits and corduroy work uniforms—is hard to ignore. All this, made from the absolute best and most luxury fabrics in the world. The three days unfolded in a blur of showroom appointments, a show and hurried café stops.

One thing i learned about the city during Fashion Week, that stands out from visiting any other time—it hums with purpose and intention.

Auralee & Meta Campania Collective

FRIDAY THE 24TH, JANUARY

Meta Campania Collective, 1. Arrondissement

For A/W ’25, Meta Campania fuses traditional British heritage fabrics with contemporary luxury thanks to the creative direction of Jon Strassbourg. Drawing inspiration from classic British materials like wool, corduroy, and, in true Meta style, cashmere, the collection excels at celebrating and showcasing these textiles in an elegant and timeless way. By pairing these fabrics with silhouettes that feel both sophisticated and relaxed, Meta Campania honors old-world artisans while introducing designs that genuinely feel original. The result this season? A collection that, for Jon—and by extension, the consumer—feels both nostalgic and fresh. These are pieces that feel contemporary but not trend-driven; luxury without being loud. And in this current moment of fashion, it feels like a power move.

I can’t talk about this collection without mentioning one of its most bold concepts: a cashmere-woven denim set. This is original—and predictably, extraordinarily expensive.

Auralee, 2. Arrondissement

Let Auralee teach you to love minimalism. Nothing about that changes for their A/W '25 collection. Stepping into their Autumn/Winter 2025 showroom, I was immediately struck by the brand's signature minimalist aesthetic, which felt both inviting and sophisticated. Designer Ryota Iwai's focus on personal style and his inspiration from "daily life" were evident throughout the collection. It felt rooted in the authenticity of individual style: one day, you're wearing a classic tailored suit with a sharp overcoat; the next, a blank T-shirt with a fleece pullover. The garments were a blend blend of structure and softness—cashmere jackets and leather coats, 100% silk fleeces and pants, as well as stiff raw denim jeans. A clear showcase that Mr. Iwai has mastered the craft of making the familiar feel exceptionally interesting.

Accessories provided a common thread that finished the idea: sleek leather belts, bags, and silk ties for one day, and a dad cap and backpack for the next.

Comme Des Garçons Homme Plus show A/W

Comme Des Garçons Homme Plus A/W '25 Show, 9. Arrondissement

Inside a brutalist, industrial showroom located in the 9th Arrondissement Rei Kawakubo presented her latest CDGH+ collection. Walking in, my nerves were on overdrive. It's one thing to admire and appreciate something from afar, but being here, felt surreal. As the venue slowly filled up, Rei's husband, Adrian, walked around greeting all the front-row guests.

And as always leave it to the team behind CDGH+ to question everything you know about tailoring. Classic military uniforms, reimagined through the challenging and avant-garde eyes of Rei Kawakubo, with much of her signature asymmetry and her unreal proportions. Outerwear deconstructed and ripped apart, with the addition of colours, tartan patterns and pants turned into skirts. The most noticeably constant throughout the show: The Helmets. Each look sported oversized, sculptural headpieces, plastered with flowers and/or wrapped in colourful satin silk.