Salle Gaveau, What happened to us? Has fashion lost its sense of impertinence, extravagance, and fun? Politically correct and socially acceptable are blurring trends, resulting in new uniforms, echoing the growing sound of boots on the ground. Contrasting with this violent resignation, expressed both in identity politics and societal norms, Julien Fournié advocates independence and asserts that haute couture expresses itself through textiles as a distinct art form. This is achieved above all, through the autonomy of its designer (preferably the living house’s founder).
Julien Fournié Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 / SS26, Inspired by the “Living together” motto from the years he spent commuting daily from the northern suburbs to the center of Paris, Julien Fournié draws inspiration from the diverse characters he was then coming across on public transport, on the streets of the French capital, and at his business meetings: the young designer found many captivating with bold visual assertions of their personality. These individuals were embracing their own differences without ever shying away from mingling, conversing, and celebrating with people outside their own circle.
Julien Fournié women and men take part in a “battle of charm,” where each side borrows and subverts elements from the other’s wardrobe to assert a powerful style. Many embrace lavish embroidery in designs that move away from references to the French Second Empire, favoring instead influences drawn from street art, manga, and genre cinema.
The couturier blends silks and textile innovations without any hierarchy. He calls upon sculptor André Tognotti to carve carrara marble into crowns, or the cups of a brassiere, transforming them into bridal jewelry. He also highlights the craftsmanship by an embroiderer of the new generation, Amman Shaikh, capable of revisiting ancestral Indian techniques to project his designs into colored crystals with audacious artistry.
“Misfits” reject prevailing conformity, assert their style, and impose their strong, unconventional expression… Norms reassure. Distinctness creates legends. Find your legend!!
