1. Matthieu Blazy’s debut as Chanel’s creative director was highly anticipated. What was one of the notable features of his first collection?
1.a) He abandoned tweed altogether and focused only on jersey knits
1.b) He reinterpreted classic menswear by using oversized shirts from Charvet and cropped blazers paired with slouchy trousers
1.c) He staged the show underwater at the Grand Palais aquatic centre
1.d) He introduced neon lighting as the central theme where every look had neon piping
2. Loewe had a new leadership shake-up with Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez taking over from Jonathan Anderson. What characterised their Spring/Summer 2026 debut?
2.a) A return to entirely monochrome looks while abandoning colour
2.b) Heavy use of transparency:
2.see-through gowns, sheer capes and layering without solids
2.c) A vibrantly coloured sporty and leather-focused collection with strong Spanish roots and playful textures
2.d) A minimalist palette with no prints or accessories
3. Jonathan Anderson moved from Loewe to Christian Dior as creative director this year. Which of these best describes his approach to the collection?
3.a) He kept everything extremely conservative, mainly pastels and minimal silhouettes
3.b) He discarded the archive, ignoring Dior’s heritage completely
3.c) He did a couture show instead of ready-to-wear
3.d) He played with heritage pieces and introduced fantasy and surreal elements
4. Several shows emphasised sustainability, craft and material innovation. Which designer among the following made headlines for using 100 percent cruelty-free or sustainable fabrics this season?
4.a) Miu Miu
4.b) Stella McCartney
4.c) Thom Browne
4.d) Mugler
5. Celebrity appearances and front-row style were a big part of PFW SS26. Which of these statements is true?
5.a) Nicole Kidman was officially announced as Chanel’s new ambassador
5.b) Beyoncé made her debut at Chanel SS26 by walking in the show
5.c) Jennie (of BlackPink) was absent from all Chanel events this season.
5.d) Meghan Markle closed the show for Balenciaga SS26 in a couture gown.
ANSWERS
1. The correct answer is b.
Matthieu Blazy’s debut show for Chanel introduced a sharper and more measured direction. Known for precise tailoring at Bottega Veneta previously, he focused on structure and purpose. Menswear elements defined the show. Oversized shirts made with Charvet, one of Paris’s oldest bespoke shirtmakers, were paired with cropped blazers and relaxed trousers. The styling gave movement and ease to Chanel’s traditional structure. Blazy removed the excess associated with nostalgia to bring attention to Coco Chanel’s original ideas about shape and structure. His restrained colour palette of ivory, dove grey and caramel kept the focus on cut and movement. The show created a balance between masculine and feminine dressing and the audience responded with admiration. Many said Blazy had modernised Chanel without losing its discipline or emotional core.
2. The correct answer is c.
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s debut for Loewe started with clarity and energy. Known for their New York-based label Proenza Schouler, they treated Loewe’s roots as a foundation for renewal. Their Spring/Summer 2026 collection emphasisedcolour, material and movement. Leather, the fashion house’s main strength, appeared in soft dresses, relaxed separates and wrap skirts. The pieces looked practical yet refined. The duo added wit through towel-textured fabrics, athletic stripes and two-tone tights. These details evoked sportswear and summer leisure while maintaining precision. Fashion critics described the show as tactile and confident. For the designers, this debut marked a clear direction for Loewe. It was modern, sensual and joyfully self-aware.
3. The correct answer is d.
At Dior, Jonathan Anderson faced the challenge of redefining femininity for a label known for it. He chose to reshape, not erase, the house’s archive. The Bar Jacket returned in cropped and distorted forms with larger curves and sharper cuts. Oversized bows, sculpted drapes and surreal fabrics gave a sense of theatre. Yet the show stayed grounded through cotton shirts, cargo trousers and lace dresses. Anderson balanced bold ideas with everyday utility between fantasy and function. Critics described the collection as a dialogue between Dior’s ateliers and modern streetwear. The result showed Anderson’s ability to merge avant-garde design with commercial appeal. His Dior debut was not about spectacle alone. It examined how a luxury brand can speak to modern audiences without losing its identity.
4. The correct answer is b.
Stella McCartney continued to lead sustainable fashion at the highest level. Her Spring/Summer 2026 show at the École des Beaux-Arts demonstrated how responsibility and beauty work together. The collection used 100 percent cruelty-free materials and 98 percent sustainable fabrics. Regenerated nylon, recycled cashmere, organic cotton and plant-based leather replaced traditional textiles. The clothing included tailored jackets, crochet tops and fluid vegan silks while the show’s design, sound and set were all tied to environmental awareness. Nature-inspired audio played as models walked through biodegradable décor. McCartney’s collaboration with biotech and textile firms showed fashion’s potential to drive real progress. Critics called the collection optimistic and precise. McCartney used fashion as a direct statement of accountability proving that ethics and elegance can share the same runway.
5. The correct answer is a.
Celebrity presence was, as always, part of the spectacle. Nicole Kidman drew focus at Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2026 show in her first appearance as the brand’s ambassador. She wore wide-leg jeans and an oversized white shirt, echoing the simplicity that defined Blazy’s collection. Seated alongside Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Jennie from BlackPink, Kidman reflected Chanel’s plan to connect its legacy with younger audiences. Her appointment marked a shift towards authenticity and restraint rather than pure glamour. Reports described her as graceful and visibly moved by the creative shift underway. Images of her look spread across major fashion outlets within hours. Her appearance represented more than celebrity participation; it mirrored how Chanel and Paris Fashion Week were redefining visibility and continuity through understated confidence.