PFW SS27 trend watch: Metallics shine at Saint Laurent, Dior and Balmain

After several seasons dominated by minimalism and pared-back dressing, Paris Fashion Week SS27 signaled a renewed appetite for high-impact glamour for both night and day. For designers, metallic finishes, particularly in gold and silver, offered an immediate and effective way to deliver that sense of luxury and indulgence.

At Saint Laurent, what might be Anthony Vaccarello’s final show was mostly played out in many shades of gold, combining metallic leather, crackly cotton matelassé, brocade and metal-thread lace.

Beyond metallic fabrics, a broader story of light, reflection and shimmer emerged across the Paris collections, encompassing sequins, glossy surfaces, lamé and other reflective finishes, including a gleaming breastplate at Maison Margiela made from crushed silverware.

For retail buyers, the opportunity for SS27 lies in treating metallic as a wardrobe-enhancing finish rather than a novelty trend, using subtle sheen and reflective surfaces to make familiar silhouettes feel more polished and luxurious.

Saint Laurent S27 by Anthony Vaccarello

Look 6: a voluminous, oversized metallic gold crinkled jacket paired with a matching draped high-slit wrap skirt and a flowing mousseline trailing scarf. Metallic ankle strap sandals finished the look.

Look 9: a metallic gold double-breasted trench coat with a self-belt, styled with an oversized navy-blue mousseline scarf wrapped around the neck that trailed behind, paired with orange pointed-toe ankle strap pumps.

Look 11: a metallic gold utility-style structured jacket paired with a matching below-the-knee pencil skirt, an olive-green chiffon blouse and trailing olive-green mousseline neck scarf, with patent ankle strap pumps.

Dior SS27 by Jonathan Anderson

High-shine, snakeskin-textured metallic pants with a light blue ruffled long-sleeved sheer blouse. Accessories included a swan shaped minaudière, gold-finish station chain necklace and strappy sandals.

Burc Akyol SS27

A high-shine metallic silver wrap coat cinched with a gathered gold-tone waist accent, paired with classic black pointed-toe stiletto pumps

Louis Vuitton SS27 by Nicolas Ghesquière

A sleeveless knee-length scoop-neck chiffon shift dress with a crinkled metallic silver overlay styled with black point-toe oxfords with stud detailing.

Cecilie Bahnsen SS27

A textured, metallic silver matelassé hooded anorak jacket paired with coordinating shorts, styled alongside slouchy grey socks and black lace-ups.

Ren Chunmei SS27

A metallic gold mini dress with dimensional floral appliqués, intricate embroidery, and oversized golden tassels. Accessories included metallic floral arm cuffs, open-toed platform heels with crisscross ankle straps, and a gold bird-shaped clutch.

Edward Cuming SS27

An orange tiger-stripe crewneck graphic t-shirt adorned with a stylized cartoon tiger face and a distressed, crinkled metallic gold pleated midi skirt that featured a distinctive textured foil print overlay.

Rubin Singer SS27

An asymmetric off-white jacket with a geometric overlap fastened by a single button, a high stand collar, wide sleeves and a high-waisted knee-length pencil skirt with a croc embossed gold metallic finish. Nude pointed-toe pumps completed the look.

Balmain SS27 by Antonin Tron

A cropped, voluminous mauve bomber jacket with exaggerated quilting worn over a knit green bandeau/bra top and paired with a metallic silver ruched midi skirt featuring a thigh-high slit. Accessories included a lariat necklace, diamante eyewear and black open-toe mules

Lanvin SS27 by Peter Copping

A floor-length, fish-cut gown paired with a sheer mesh V-neckline panel, crisscross halter straps and a structured, geometric peplum waist overlay covered in silver and black sequins in abstract linear patterns.

Elie Saab SS27

A double-layered corset-style lace top with floral embroidery, paired with a shimmering, floor-length silver sequined skirt and strappy metallic sandals

Isabel Marant SS27

A slouchy, oversized black jacket worn over a metallic silver sequined slip dress layered over black calf-length leggings, with a delicate lace trim. Accessories included statement chandelier earrings, a thin black studded belt and strappy black sandals.

Maison Margiela SS27 by Glenn Martens

A white draped floor-length gown under a rigid bodice crafted from crushed and flattened vintage silver tableware (such as teapots, platters and silverware).