Milan & Paris | Fashion Week 2026

A Season of Colour, Character and Individuality. SS 27

There is something wonderful happening in fashion. 

After seasons of restraint and quiet luxury, individuality is making a welcome return. Milan and Paris delivered collections full of colour, texture, interesting proportions and, above all, personality.

The message was clear. Fashion is meant to be enjoyed.

A Garden in Full Bloom

Colour was everywhere, and what a beautiful season we have for Spring/Summer 2027.
Imagine a spring garden in full bloom. Soft pinks, powder blues and delicate mauves sit
alongside vibrant reds, rich burgundies and chocolate browns. These colours are prominent in
Gianni Chiarini bags, Saloni dresses and Max Mara.

Green continues its extraordinary run, appearing in every imaginable shade from fresh mint
and soft sage to forest green, olive and khaki. VINCE has a huge collection of olives and
muted greens. Navy remains a sophisticated favourite, while red makes a particularly
confident statement, seen in Zadig & Voltaire's vibrant prints.

What makes this palette interesting is the freedom to combine colours in unexpected ways. A
soft pink against chocolate brown, a flash of red with olive, or pale blue worn with burgundy.

This is not a season for playing it safe, but you can play with subtle femininity.

The Shape of Things to Come

Silhouettes are changing, and the proportions are interesting.

Shoulders are becoming stronger and more defined, often balanced by a beautifully fitted
waist. At the same time, skirts and trousers are sitting lower on the hips, creating a relaxed,
slightly undone attitude.

Skirts appeared in almost every imaginable length and shape. A-line silhouettes, wrap skirts,
playful minis, flowing maxis and, importantly, the very wearable length that falls just below
the knee.

Frills, tiers and movement added a romantic dimension, while the return of the wrap skirt
offered a more sexy approach.

Trousers were equally varied. wide legs, cargo pockets, relaxed harem shapes and sheer
trousers appeared throughout the collections. Elasticated waists were another recurring detail,
proving that comfort and beautiful design can happily coexist. VINCE is continuing with the bias cut elastic waist pant now available in all fabrications, while By Malene Birger's best selling balloon shape pant is still strong. Forte Forte bring in more harem pants, a very cool look for summer.

Shorts are also having a moment. From sharply pleated short shorts to tailored culottes and
longer Bermuda styles, often worn as part of a matching suit or coordinated set.

The modern wardrobe is no longer dictated by one silhouette. It's about finding the
proportions that suit you.

Texture, Transparency and a Touch of Nostalgia

Fabric and surface detail played an important role in the collections.

Crisp, polished cotton brought structure and freshness to otherwise simple pieces. Organza
and sheer fabrics introduced lightness, sometimes layered to reveal just a suggestion of what
lies beneath.

Crochet, decorative patches and handcrafted embellishments brought a distinctly seventies
influence, while fringing added movement and a little drama.

Raffia continues to appear in accessories, its natural texture providing a beautiful contrast to
more polished fabrics. In the Veronica Beard sliders and clutches and Gianni Chiarini totes
and bags, raffia was dominant.

There is also a growing appreciation for vintage fashion and upcycling. Across the
department stores and fashion destinations we visited, the interest in pre-loved designer
pieces was impossible to ignore.

Perhaps we are finally recognising that great fashion doesn't have an expiry date.

Denim Has No Rules

One of the most interesting developments is the sheer variety of denim silhouettes.
There is no longer one fashionable jean.

Barrel legs, wide legs, relaxed shapes and beautifully cut straight jeans all have their place.
By Malene Birger's barrel-leg denim was a particular favourite from the trip, while the James
jean from Anine Bing demonstrates the enduring appeal of a great straight leg.

At MOYA, two of our longstanding favourites, MOTHER and AG Jeans, continue to offer an
exceptional range of denim, covering the shapes that matter this season.

The secret is finding the cut that works for your body and wearing it with confidence.

Beauty Makes a Statement

The beauty direction was just as interesting as the clothes.

Velvety skin, matte finishes and strong lip colours appeared repeatedly on the runways. Deep
reds, burgundies and richly pigmented lips brought a sense of polish and drama.

There was something wonderfully deliberate about the makeup. A strong lip could transform
even the simplest outfit into a statement.

It was a reminder that fashion is never just about the clothes. Hair, makeup, accessories and
attitude all contribute to the finished look.

The Art of Being Yourself

During the trip, I watched two fascinating documentaries, one on John Galliano and the other
on the extraordinary Iris Apfel.

Both reminded me why I fell in love with fashion in the first place.

Galliano's theatrical imagination and Iris's fearless approach to personal style could hardly be
more different, yet both celebrate the power of clothing to express individuality.

Iris famously said, "Dressing for the party should be every bit as much fun as the party
itself."

You don't need to dress like Iris to appreciate her philosophy. Her extraordinary confidence
and refusal to follow convention are what make her so inspiring.

I particularly enjoyed reading Cathy Horyn's reviews in The Cut during Fashion Week. Her
observations are refreshingly direct, and I share her appreciation for fashion that is
interesting, individual and relevant to the way women actually dress.

As Horyn observed when reviewing Jil Sander's Spring 2027 collection, "reality is almost
always more interesting than fantasy."

And that is perhaps my biggest takeaway from Milan and Paris.

Don't dress to look like everyone else. Don't automatically reach for the safe option.
Experiment with colour, play with proportions and enjoy the process of putting an outfit
together.

"Attractive is interesting, pretty is boring" said Iris.

What's Next at MOYA

Returning from Milan and Paris, I'm excited by the direction fashion is taking and the
wonderful labels we are bringing to MOYA.

At MOYA, we believe in elegance, sophistication and individuality, always with a little edge.
Not eccentricity for its own sake. We always focus on beautifully made, quality pieces that feel fabulous when worn and reflect the exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail we appreciate.

Our focus remains on beautiful fabrics, interesting design and clothes that women genuinely
want to wear. Pieces with character, whether it's an unexpected colour combination, a
beautifully tailored jacket or a fabulous pair of jeans.

Fashion should bring pleasure to everyday life, not simply be reserved for special occasions.
Be adventurous. Be individual. And above all, have fun getting dressed.

Fran Hennessy
Founder, MOYA