Dé Moo FW 25 Photographer : Anastasiya Davydova @anastasidavydovaby

Dear Miss Maltese Community,

I am still recovering from Fashion Week, an explosion of emotions that swept me away. Paris Fashion Week is my absolute highlight, a moment where the city transforms into a grand stage of creativity, culture, and boundless inspiration.

Paris Fashion Week is a mesmerizing cultural mix. One moment, you’re at the Spanish embassy, surrounded by elegance and history; the next, you find yourself at the Irish embassy, and before you know it, you’re immersed in a K-pop and South African fashion show. Yes, yes, that all happened to me in a single whirlwind of a week.

Our journey begins at the Spanish embassy, a true feast for the eyes. I had the privilege of attending the presentation of Paula Canovas’ No One Owns Me, an evocative exploration of self-expression, limitation, and personal agency. Borrowing its title from Italian artist Valentina de Zanche, the collection is a bold statement on the freedom to create and exist on one’s own terms.

The presentation invited attendees to craft messages using a restricted set of letters, a conceptual exercise inspired by Gillian Wearing, challenging notions of authorship, anonymity, and control. This tension between constraint and possibility echoed throughout the collection itself. Ribbed cardigans took on sculptural forms, voluminous puff skirts defied gravity, and geometric prints breathed new life into structured cotton shirts. An original character emerged in a series of printed T-shirts, while handmade fabric flowers meticulously crafted in Spain adorned a special edition of Converse Chuck 70, Mary Jane, and Knee High silhouettes, personally customized by Canovas del Vas’ mother.

Another unforgettable moment was Maxhosa’s presentation, Lo Ngumbulelo, at Le Pavillon Élysée. Rooted in ancient African tradition, Lo Ngumbulelo is an ode to heritage and thanksgiving, deeply connected to the gratitude that ties us to our roots. Umbulelo, meaning “thanksgiving” in Xhosa, is a sacred act of giving thanks historically expressed through sacrificial ceremonies that usher in prosperity.

“In its essence, this collection is about honoring the practice of expressing gratitude for the blessings we have received and for the many cultures and communities that have embraced and shaped us.”

Laduma Ngxokolo, Chief Creative Director, MAXHOSA AFRICA

The brand that truly captured me this week with its striking color palette was Dé Moo. Presenting its F/W 25 collection, From Nothing, at Espace Commines in Paris, Dé Moo reaffirmed its timeless values while pushing contemporary fashion forward.

Rooted in minimalist deconstructionism, the collection explored contrast and harmony, returning to essentials to redefine Dé Moo’s identity. Black and white dominated the palette, creating a bold yet understated sophistication. Traditional materials like wool and jacquard intertwined with modern metallics, adding a contemporary edge. Structured patterns enhanced practicality, while layered styling ensured versatility.

“This collection expands Dé Moo’s identity and possibilities,” says designer Chunmoo Park. Experimental yet minimalist, the 2025 Paris collection is both powerful and refined.

Finally, as a devoted fan of K-pop, I couldn’t possibly miss Concept Korea 2025 F/W, an event organized by KOCCA.

Launched in 2010 at New York Fashion Week, Concept Korea is KOCCA’s flagship initiative supporting the globalization of K-fashion. This year’s edition in Paris featured three prominent Korean brands, each unveiling their 2025 F/W collections in a unique runway show that seamlessly integrated fashion, music, dance, and contemporary art.

The day began with a joint show featuring RE RHEE and MMAM, presenting an innovative fusion of fashion, music, and performance. RE RHEE collaborated with jazz vocalist Nah Youn Sun to explore the theme Forms of Resonance, expressing timeless beauty that lingers in memory. MMAM partnered with choreographer Lee Ruda to create Contrasting Layers, where models moved with the grace of dancers, seamlessly blending music and performance into the atmosphere of the show.

What an unforgettable week! Fashion Week once again proved to be a melting pot of cultures, creativity, and artistry, leaving me inspired and eagerly anticipating the next season.