By Jesse Scott
Maximalism became minimalism, sculptural silhouettes met sensuality, and all was swathed in a romantic film noir haze for Georges Chakra’s Fall/Winter 2025-26 couture show. The complex collection was inspired by a place of introspection about profound but perhaps underappreciated universal human experiences, namely “the stillness of glances and the tension held in silence.” Always one for subtlety, even if playing with a bold color palette or iridescent sheen, Chakra took guests on a thought-provoking and eloquently crafted sartorial exploration that was equally impressive for the strength of the designs themselves and the concepts they were designed to comment on.
Elite Guest List Flocks to Glamorous Setting
As with any Chakra show, the guest list was exclusive and dressed to the nines. Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk, Brazilian actress Gessica Kayanne, and Lebanese media personality Diala Makki wore three of the best women’s looks of the afternoon, with Kayanne stealing the show in a voluminously spiraling blue dress. Meanwhile, Julien Fournié, in a bold all-black look, stole the spotlight from the men’s side. Chakra could not have chosen a more perfect setting to welcome them to his show. With the Eiffel Tower and a brilliant blue sky in the backdrop of the grand Trocadero Hal, the excitement for a much-anticipated show reached a fever pitch when guests took their seats.
As models began proceeding down the runway, the most immediately noteworthy paradigm in the show was the brilliant color scheme. In a season where many designers opted for surprisingly reserved palettes while others rejoiced in bright yellows, reds, and blues, Chakra offered one of the most spectacular, and vivid, selections of all. Chartreuse danced next to midnight blue, lethal red, and daffodil yellow. A sumptuous Bordeaux shade appeared on a claret velvet halter-neck gown with countless tulle spreading out both like frontal wings and a mermaid flounce (Look 27). One particularly complex look contrasted a collared yellow top, pulled together by two black blow details with a jet-black skirt. In a heartwarming moment Chakra pulled the delighted model wearing this look out of the final walk to take a bow with the designer personally.
Sophisticated Collection Combines Femininity with Drama
Chakra’s sophisticated silhouettes, many with ruffled trains fanning out like mermaid tails, were the basis of the collection. The designer found a balance between feminine form, often emphasized by curvaceous forms and discerning use of sheer (Looks 11, 24) with high drama (one midnight blue dress frosted with shimmering jewels and featuring a delightfully flamboyant asymmetrical shoulder detail caught my attention). There was also a nod to traditional masculine fashion, with the first model walking down the runway wearing a tailored black tuxedo and tie.
Georges Chakra Fall/Winter 2025-26: Looks 11, 24 (Images courtesy of Georges Chakra)
