PARIS: Valentino paraded high fashion inside public toilets in one of the season’s most provocative backdrops, especially for a house as classical as Valentino.

Lebanese influencer and eyewear designer Karen Wazen was on hand — decked out in an all-cream Valentino look, with polka dotted gloves to boot — as the likes of Chappell Roan, Parker Posey, Jared Leto and Barry Keoghan sat amid the crimson glow of the set. Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna and Saudi Arabia-based Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez were also spotted in the audience, both wearing head-to-toe Valentino.

The meticulous recreation stayed true to the aesthetic of a communal toilet down to the tiling, soap dispensers, mirrors and endless rows of stalls, all bathed in an unsettling, almost seedy red light.

Partly inspired by David Lynch, the space set the tone for Alessandro Michele’s bold new vision. With a background in costume design, Michele infuses his collections with inspirations from theater and film, crafting narratives as much as he does garments.  

Michele often selects venues with deep historical or cultural significance — think palaces — so this public toilet setting was a clever subversion, even of his own signature style. The result? A show that explored the boundaries between public and private, intimacy and exposure, and the ever-blurred lines of identity in contemporary fashion.

Models emerged from toilet cubicles, some stopping to inspect their faces in the mirrors, blurring the line between personal and performative. The clothes were pure theatricality: caps, hoods, and dark shades concealing the face, while sheer nude tops exposed the body, a direct contrast between covering up and revealing.

Michele’s designs are characterized by a kaleidoscopic mix of times and cultures, blending elements from different historical periods to create a unique aesthetic. He considers himself an “art archaeologist,” exploring how adornment and embellishment have evolved over the centuries.

The audience buzzed with excitement. “He’s upending Valentino in the same way Demna did at Balenciaga,” one front-row guest remarked. The applause was loud, the reaction immediate. This wasn’t just a collection, it was a statement, disruptive and irreverent, pulling a classical house into new, unexpected territory.

DUBAI: Lebanese model Nour Arida has been making waves at Paris Fashion Week, showcasing a fresh fair-haired bob while attending some of the season’s most anticipated shows.

The model has been spotted at various runway events, including Nina Ricci, Chloe, and Rabanne.

For the Chloe show, Arida embraced a luxurious, vintage-inspired aesthetic in a floor-length tiger-print fur coat layered over a black jumpsuit. She accessorized with bold gold jewelry, a structured red handbag and burgundy stiletto heels.

She turned heads in her Rabanne look, stepping out in a striking metallic mini dress made of reflective mirror-like panels connected by metal hardware. The futuristic geometric design featured bold cutouts on the back. She completed the look with a shimmering silver chain-link bag and matching platform heels.

Arida opted for a glamorous yet playful take on classic Parisian style for the Nina Ricci show. She wore a strapless black polka-dot mini dress with ruched detailing, paired with sheer black tights. A matching polka-dot scarf wrapped around her head, adding a vintage Hollywood touch, while black cat-eye sunglasses and red lipstick completed the ensemble.

Arida was not the only Arab fashion star making waves in Paris. Another standout moment came from Gigi Hadid, who commanded the runway at Schiaparelli.

The US Dutch Palestinian model opened the Schiaparelli show on Thursday wearing a black wool crepe jacket featuring an oversized tonal shearling collar. Cinched at the waist, the jacket was accentuated by belt straps adorned with Schiaparelli’s signature keyhole bijou in gold metal.

The supermodel paired the statement jacket with matching high-waisted cowboy pants and accessorized with the brand’s trompe l’oeil earrings in hammered golden brass, shaped like an alligator’s tail.