Architectural Alchemy: How Iconic Spaces Elevated Fashion in SS25
In fashion, architecture is more than just a backdrop; it is a stage that adds dimension, meaning, and atmosphere to a collection. A carefully chosen architectural setting for a runway show creates a synergy that can elevate both the designs and the brand, while also highlighting the cultural relevance of the space itself.
In recent seasons, this relationship has been perfected, as seen in the Spring/Summer 2025 shows, where some of the most breathtaking fashion presentations were held in iconic architectural venues.
Let’s explore how architecture was pivotal in some of the most memorable runway experiences for SS25.
Rick Owens @ Palais de Tokyo, Paris
The brutalist architecture of the Palais de Tokyo is a perfect match for Rick Owens’ dystopian, otherworldly aesthetic. This building, known for its raw, unfinished surfaces, creates a tension between the industrial and the avant-garde, much like Owens’ designs. The concrete and steel interior amplifies the stark, sculptural forms of his clothing as if the architecture itself is an extension of the garments. The Palais de Tokyo is not just a venue for Owens—it’s a collaborator in his exploration of the post-apocalyptic, and no other location could so effectively enhance his vision. The space is severe, but in its severity lies a kind of modern beauty, one that refuses to conform to traditional notions of luxury or comfort—just like Owens himself.
Maison Alaïa @ Guggenheim Museum, New York
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum is a temple of modern art, its continuous spiral forms a triumph of organic architecture.
The decision to host Alaïa’s SS25 show in such an iconic space was genius. Alaïa, known for his architectural approach to clothing, often sculpting his garments to the body like a second skin, finds a kindred spirit in the Guggenheim’s spiralling ramps. There’s an inherent synergy between Alaïa’s precision and Wright’s mastery of form. Both challenge conventional aesthetics—one through fabric, the other through concrete. The setting not only heightened the drama of the collection but also aligned Alaïa with the avant-garde cultural heritage that the Guggenheim represents.
Akris @ Collège des Bernardins, Paris
Few venues could offer the kind of spiritual resonance found at the Collège des Bernardins, a 13th-century former Cistercian monastery. The gothic arches, steeped in centuries of history, cast a serene atmosphere that was beautifully mirrored in Akris’ minimalistic, finely tailored collection. The space, with its vast stone walls and quiet reverence, amplifies the timelessness of Akris designs—modern, yes, but rooted in a calm, thoughtful approach to fashion. This juxtaposition of ancient architecture and contemporary design highlights the beauty of simplicity, something both Akris and the Bernardins site masterfully achieves.
Kenzo @ Jardin du Palais Royal, Paris
The Jardin du Palais Royal, a place of historic elegance and lush greenery in the heart of Paris, provided an exquisite outdoor stage for Kenzo. The structured lines of the formal garden, set against the playful exuberance of Kenzo’s designs, created a delightful tension between nature and fashion. Kenzo, known for its bold prints and joyful energy, found a natural balance with the symmetry and refinement of the Palais Royal. The setting underscored the brand’s knack for mixing high culture with street style, creating a dialogue between the formal and the whimsical.
Carolina Herrera @ Isamu Noguchi’s Sunken Garden, New York
Carolina Herrera’s show at Isamu Noguchi’s Sunken Garden was an elegant homage to simplicity and refinement. Noguchi’s work, known for its zen-like minimalism and thoughtful use of space, provided the perfect canvas for Herrera’s timeless designs. The Sunken Garden, with its sculptural rocks and clean lines, mirrored the structured yet fluid silhouettes of Herrera’s collection. The space itself—an oasis of calm amid New York’s chaos—allowed the clothing to breathe, highlighting the purity of form that both Noguchi and Herrera prize in their respective arts. This setting underscored Herrera’s dedication to modern elegance, perfectly aligned with Noguchi’s artistic principles.
Uma Wang @ The American Cathedral, Paris
The American Cathedral in Paris, with its soaring gothic arches and stained-glass windows, created a dramatic and almost ethereal setting for Uma Wang’s show. Known for her poetic, textured designs that draw inspiration from ancient cultures, Wang’s collection felt right at home in this sacred space. The architecture, with its sense of history and grandeur, enhanced the spiritual quality of the clothing, turning the runway into a reverent experience. This choice of venue added a layer of depth to Wang’s already profound exploration of fabric and form, blending the divine and the worldly in a way that felt timeless.
When architecture and fashion meet in such intentional, thoughtful ways, the result is a kind of alchemy. Each of these venues added a unique, often profound layer of meaning to the shows they hosted, elevating the collections while also bringing out new dimensions of the spaces themselves. This interplay between fashion and architecture is not just a backdrop to a moment in time—it is a dialogue, one that deepens our appreciation for both forms of art. The spaces chosen for SS25 runway shows exemplified how architecture can enhance storytelling in fashion, creating unforgettable experiences that transcend the clothes on the runway.