At Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Week, Hair Was on Its Best Behavior

At fashion week, the spotlight often lands on the biggest names in the industry—whether it’s due to buzzy debuts, final collections from legacy designers, or the enduring pull of fashion’s most exciting brands. However, for self-proclaimed beauty fanatics, all eyes are on hair and makeup to find the freshest inspiration straight from the haute couture runways. 

The hair and makeup trends at the Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Week skewed minimal, as is increasingly the case across the rest of the fashion landscape. There were flashes of boldness, such as the dramatic use of shadow and eyeliner at Viktor & Rolf and Stéphane Rolland. Still, the overall approach was pared down, though that isn’t exactly new for most haute couture shows. As always, Schiaparelli broke the mold with a Fall/Winter 2026 Couture Week trend: black lipstick dominated its runway, save for one standout red lip in the house’s “sunset of elegance” look, which paired a clean halter front with tromp l’oeil bust on the back. It was theatrical, irreverent, and unforgettable. Still, the prevailing beauty trend from haute couture was understated: glazed, dewy skin emerged as the ultimate beauty constant. 

Hair trends for Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture followed suit. Variations of the classic slick-back buns, ponytails, or hair swept away from the face were everywhere, but not without subtle twists that gave the style a modern edge. Some labels, like Ashi Studio and Yuima Nakazato, chose to go against the grain entirely, offering bold interpretations that refused to play it safe even amidst the otherwise avant-garde collections. Either way, these runway moments set the tone for the season’s trending hairstyles, so naturally, we’re listening. 

Scroll ahead for the standout Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Hair Trends.

Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Hair Trends: The Mainstay Sleek Bun, But With A Twist

Though there were a handful of labels that offered an unexpected edge to otherwise traditional hairstyles, Chanel was perhaps most surprising. This season, the maison departed from its usual polished buns: typically sleek, tight, and precise, true to its ballet-inspired legacy. Instead, Chanel sent models down the runway with slicked-back buns that featured deliberate flyaways and strands poking out for a more undone, textural effect. Ronald van der Kemp followed suit, adding streaks of color woven through the hair. Then there was Stéphane Rolland, who presented a series of sculptural, high-shine slick backs—most notably, a dramatic, beehive-like French twist that felt equal parts retro and futuristic. This hair trend from Haute Couture Week is definitely one to watch. 

Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Hair Trends: The Mermaidcore Side-Swoop

The mermaidcore side-swoops were a personal favorite, though admittedly not the most practical for everyday wear. Zuhair Murad embraced the sleek, wet look with subtle finger waves framing a center part. But Lever took it further: hairstylists sent models down the runway with ultra-wet side parts and dramatic, face-framing hair streaks swooping to the side. This Fall/Winter 2025 hair trend is for all the experimental beauty lovers out there. 

Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Hair Trends: Side Part

Perhaps it’s controversial, but some hairstylists made a strong case for side parts this season. At Ardazaei, the look was reimagined into a fresh, wearable version that is fit for everyday wear. Tamara Ralph, on the other hand, paid homage to the Roaring ‘20s with a sleek, finger-waved take. 

Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Hair Trends: Statement Bangs

Surprisingly, avant-garde bangs made an appearance at Couture Week. While Yuima Nakazato featured long, blunt cuts that grazed the eyes, Ashi Studio had a slew of asymmetrical styles reminiscent of Rei Kawakubo’s signature edge. 

Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Hair Trends: Pushed-Back Slick

Contrary to popular opinion, sleek buns and ponytails aren’t the only way to pull off a slick-back look. At Rahul Mishra, Yuima Nakazato, and Iris van Herpen, stylists kept the hair down but pushed it back, maintaining that clean, face-framing effect sans the updo.  

Fall/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Hair Trends: Wavy Bed Hair

At Elie Saab and Julie de Libran, wavy, tousled hair gave the impression of just rolling out of bed—though it likely took at least a good half hour to perfect the effortless, natural look. Both labels blended couture with a boho-inspired aura, and the hair reflected exactly that relaxed elegance.