Paris, usually so vibrant during fashion week, seemed drowsy this time as if the city itself had lost touch with its own magic. Buyers from around the world had hoped for the rebirth of a creative spark, yet they found themselves facing an unexpected dullness.

At the bottom of the rankings, Matthieu Blazy’s first collection for Chanel came as a cold shower. Deemed the weakest debut and one of the most disappointing shows of the week, it left an unfinished impression a faint echo where a thunder of applause had been expected. Saint Laurent, too, appeared to lack fire, and both houses struggled to compete with Alaïa. Shein was also very disappointed.

The fashion capital seemed drained of energy dull, uninspired, devoid of creativity and emotion, with barely a few moments worth remembering.

In the hushed salons where orders are placed, buyers shared a common concern. The momentum of young designers was nowhere to be found, and the promise of renewal seemed to fade away. They feared that next season’s displays would bear the marks of this creative drought: muted tones, shapeless silhouettes, and the echo of a prevailing weariness.

And as if the gloom of the runways had spilled into reality, the week unfolded under a cloud of uncertainty political tension, economic instability, and strikes that paralyzed the city. Paris, so often celebrated for its brilliance and spirit, seemed suddenly veiled in gray the gray of an era searching for inspiration.