Kevin Germanier and Vogue100 Hosted a Couture Week Cocktail at the Ritz

Most of the 21 million viewers who watched the Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony likely didn’t recognize the name Kevin Germanier. Yet it was his shimmering creation, The Golden Voyager, that commanded center stage in a hypnotic, emotionally charged performance described by commentators as both apocalyptic and hopeful. Inspired by science fiction fantasies and Augustin Dumont’s Génie de la Liberté atop the July Column, the costume was an alchemical blend of oxidized pearls, found beads, discarded fabric scraps, and reels of VHS tape salvaged from Germanier’s favorite childhood films. The result? A figure of haunting beauty and otherworldly strangeness—a perfect embodiment of the designer’s singular vision.

Kevin Germanier is, without question, one of the most original and forward-thinking couturiers working today. His commitment to upcycled materials sets him apart in a world often fueled by excess. In 2019, the Swiss-born graduate of Central Saint Martins was shortlisted for the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers—a milestone that marked the beginning of an ongoing relationship with Bernard Arnault’s luxury group. That partnership culminated in the 2024 launch of Prélude, a label devoted entirely to sustainable fashion. Since then, Germanier’s designs have graced the world’s most famous women, including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé.

On Monday evening, just days before his Fall 2025 runway show, Germanier hosted a cocktail reception at the Ritz Paris. Inside the opulent Salon Marie-Louise, mannequins displayed highlights from his previous collections, capturing the brand’s signature shimmer and structural daring. The crowd—an assemblage of philanthropists, creatives, and Vogue100 executives—mingled beneath gilded moldings and crystal chandeliers. Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut paused to admire two looks that had recently been featured in his publication.

Around the mirrored room, white-gloved waiters floated by with trays of Champagne and miniature croque-monsieurs. The vivid, often outrageous designs—among them a corset fashioned from Perrier bottles and a rainbow-hued cornucopia gown—stood in bold contrast to the room’s rococo elegance. As the late-day sun finally broke through the city’s earlier gloom, it cast a warm golden light over the crowd and clothes alike.

“For my first haute couture show,” Germanier explained, “I stayed within the realm of what I know best—round beads, bold colors, and upcycled materials. This time, as I close the official haute couture calendar for the second season, I’ve chosen to challenge myself. With Les Joueuses, I step into uncharted territory, experimenting with unexpected patterns, textures, and silhouettes I’ve never explored before. It’s a collection that remains playful at heart, but elevated in ambition and craftsmanship.”

Yesterday, he made good on that promise. His Fall 2025 couture show unveiled 27 looks—each more dazzling than the last—that transported guests into a kaleidoscopic world both futuristic and sublime.