By June Roberson
Another Paris Fashion Week has come and gone for the second season of Sarah Burton’s Givenchy shows. Since breaking free from her 26-year residency with Alexander McQueen just two seasons ago, the burgeoning lead designer has begun the climb for consistency at Givenchy after a period of experimentation in the role. A marquee situated at the anterior of the Les Invalides, a historic complex just outside of Paris, situated the show under a collapsable canopy for the much-anticipated show. Ranging from full ensembles to fragments of finished looks, Givenchy Spring/Summer 2026 was a websters on how women dress and undress not for approval but for empowerment.
Burton's Best Dressed
Clearly attending as guests of honoring were three household actresses dressed by the designer herself. Charlize Theron sported the collections black cutaway bra along with a left open white pantsuit, Jenna Ortega took to a barely-there skirt whose sheerness revealed the base of a ruffled crimson body suit**,** and finally an all-black somewhat draculan-like ensemble for the Wicked Witch herself, Cynthia Erivo. Other notable guests, although not receiving the same special treatment when it came to attire, was Ortega’s “Wednesday” co-star Gwendoline Christie, Actresses Rooney Mara and Tracie Ellis Ross, Singer/Songwriter Raye, and several well-known influencers such as U.K. native Madeline Argy.
Charlize Theron, Cynthia Erivo, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Ortega, Rooney Mara, Tracie Ellis Ross arrive at Sarah Burton's debut colleciton for Givenchy Spring/Summer 2026. (Images courtesy of Givenchy)
An amber toned feather bra and asymmetric wrap skirt adorned with similar appliqués cloaked Alex Consani whose outgoing internet personality has gained the model of the year and avid fanbase as a relatable runway frequent. Also making appearance was somewhat of an overnight sensation both in the eyes of designers and the press, **Loli Bahia.**The French model wore dark wash palazzo jeans and a crisp white button up. The jeans were folded nearly to the shin, for style yes, but likely also to avoid hindering her step. Loosely looping within itself, the crisp white classic became cropped as if her walk home got a little warm and, with typical blase ease, up went the shirt into a loosely formed knot.
Givenchy Spring/Summer 2026: Looks 16, 38 (Images courtesy of Givenchy)
Opening the show was a mini bubble skirt variation of Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress that has historically prevailed as the fallback for sex appeal without being try-hard. The playful shape combined with the square-toed ballet flat that carried it out, reimagined the piece for someone perhaps a little more unconventional. The capsule classic was succeeded by a bodysuit that repurposed the dress’s billowing base into voluminous sleeves swelling from shoulder to wrist. Gold dangle earrings framed a V-neckline that plunged down the model’s chest, while a third look deconstructed a traditional power suit into a raw-hemmed mini dress appearing as if it had been torn from her body at the collar. Statement jewelry appeared in the form of fragmented silver gems and thick pearl strands that tangled themselves through layers of fabric. Finally, the collections most favored material appearing in many looks as well as for an encore. A calico duchesse satin “bedsheet” skirt, with pink satin stitching, undulated to the beat of Kaia Gerber’s stride as soft-pink ostrich-feather heels carried the closer with an avian flair before soaring backstage.
The collective decision to trade evening wear for after-evening ensembles took Paris by storm and I cannot help but wonder what memo we missed? Between Louis Vuitton, Dolce Gabbana, Jacquemus, and now Givenchy this seems like an inside joke between heritage houses that we just want a piece of. The borderline-American fallback for fashion has taken, rather ironically, to a typically more formal Paris landscape. Famously overwhelmed by far more radical ventures, the ease of this year’s offers threatened to snuff out the overstated for the foreseeable future. Strategically speaking, splendor alone ensures the European interpretation of an athleisure approach to couture week avoided any further U.S.A stereotypes. Only sleepwear the average person would never wear could possibly survive the criticism of the fashion community and a yearlong recess before another chance to prove themselves. Now, before you fall asleep let us be clear about one thing.
Sarah Burton will be a prominent point of recall come next summer. You can expect to see her princess peplum dresses and girlified masculine power-wear at a private dinner party or on a quick work call. The collection is not dressing your picturesque Pinterest summer, although a few looks could double, its exploring realism in a less radical light. The suit you wear to meet your CEO, classic jean x white shirt combo for your glorified grocery run, a flirty red dress for the girl’s dinner party, and of course some sheer looks for post good-date activities all playing their part in forming fashion for the mundane. If consistency was the goal this season, Givenchy has found their footing, and their fitting rooms will be helping us find ours.
Givenchy Spring/Summer 2026: Looks 10, 42, 49, 50, 47 (Images courtesy of Givenchy)
