The Elegant Dance of FW2025: Movement, Heritage & Off-World Fashion in Milan and Paris

The women's fashion season ended in Paris, followed directly by Milan. What a wonderful season. This season was best summed up by Ungaro's designer Kobi Halperin, inspired by Alvin Ailey in NYC with his "profound sense of movement that defined his work." But what did he mean by movement and dance when discussing his creative thoughts on this FW2025 season?

Ungaro FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

Other designers such as Jitrios, Eukono, ABRA, and Marine Serre seemed influenced by this very same energy and thoughts on being inspired by dancing, choreography, and movement within their work. It felt like this creative energy was also present in Milan, happening just a week before Paris, with movement, color, flow, and the grace of fashion with woman's divine energy this season, the perfect choreographed elegant dance.

Left To Right: Jitrios FW25, courtesy of the brand, Marine Serre, photo by Michael Foust, Eukono, photo by Michael Foust, ABRA, photo by Michael Foust.

The change that everyone feels in the air with world events, the nature of humanity, and its place on this planet moving forward is part of this dance. A big carryover from the Men's season this year has been getting back to within one's own culture, roots, and inner being that comes out in fashion, personal style, and play to celebrate and move forward.

What makes the style that can be uncovered and shown in wearing your own personal art or capturing a moment in life such as J.Kim celebrating what it is to be a mother… visual creativity with movement and evolution of style. 

J. Kim FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

Designers are architects of this imagination and creation, as they can beautifully visualize materials, techniques, and shapes onto the human form. Technology combined with traditional techniques are merging more flawlessly in making the materials and visons manifest in ways never seen before now more commonplace and refined.

3D-printed footwear, jewelry, textile materials, and even fine detailing are here to stay. During fashion weeks, Tranoi has been showcasing these techniques, and Milan is at the forefront of exploring how to use these new ways to create something new. Upcycling is also not just being pushed into the forefront but really coalescing into something more artistic, coherent, and artful that was never really gelled together before in the process of fashion.

Photos from Tranoi Designer Showcase, photos by Michael Foust.

Nature is more than just a thought. It is at the core of fashion and main fashion now, which has been seeded some time ago and is now bearing delicious fruit. But something else is now coming up more and more that is on everyone's minds.

The acceptance that we are not alone at all. Small elements of out-of-this-world pieces and whispers of historical culture pieces were once just a small piece of creative thoughts in fashion. This season, there has been more than just acceptance of us being a piece of the larger picture in the universe. The vision of off-world fashion was not just a far-off place but has arrived and is going to continue to evolve as more materials, events, and techniques occur. 

Pierre Cardin FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

But as for this season of women's fashion, the collections are yielding some fantastic pieces. Highlights from the season and trends were in abundance as both Milan and Paris, each with their unique glimmer, have come together seamlessly this season. 

Noticeable FW2025 Trends:

-  Flowers, not just for the Spring but the feminine touch that makes for a continual blooming, sparking the fire into the fall and winter seasons. 

Casa Preti FW25, courtesy of Michael Foust.

-  Alligator and leather materials that form the body like a second skin. 

Elizabetta Franchi FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

- Cow and feline prints that are refined and modern

Elizabetta Franchi FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

- Oversize trenches that can keep you warm and cozy on those cool fall and winter days

Jarel Zhang FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

- Furs, fluffy and puffy jackets, or wrist details

Maison Margiela MM6 FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

- Sequins, Shimmering latex, and that glossy textile look that really pops is sexy and elegant at the same time.

Florentina Leitiner FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

- A little bit of 20's and a little bit of 50's elements made it contemporary but dazzle in that same energy of those times

- Cultural heritage in elements and details with the season's coordination

- Fuzzy fabrics like Alpaca and rabbit combined with organically responsible processes that are not just locally sourced but make for long-lasting garments.

Anteprima FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

- Horns & puffy type details that look futuristic, fun, and almost have an anime feel to them

Duran Lantink FW25, photo courtesy of the brand.

- Denim, a continuing trend that, with new processes, makes for some great style

Duran Lantink FW25, photo courtesy of the brand.

- Shoes that are for urban walking and that have lovely details

AGL FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

- Flowery bows and nice button details

Florentina Leitiner FW25, photo by Michael Foust.

What has the choreographed dance meant this season that has influenced the creative directors this season from Milan to Paris? It feels like the positive and elegant energy that is the core of a woman and the dance it has with balance, flow, and movement combined within us. 

The dance that we all once felt but was lost somehow in the very rapidly changing world is now catching up to a new flow that is like a masterpiece ballet dance. The fashion directors have picked up on this and have created some wonderful and brilliant pieces that will make for the perfect dance of making your own journey with the FW2025 collections. 

A condensed alternate version of this report appears in our Spring 2025 Fashion Issue.