Design that Speaks: Storytelling Without Words
This Edge post takes us to Paris, where Spring/Summer 2026 runway shows wowed patrons earlier this summer. These events have become more than just fashion exhibitions; they’re elaborate design experiences, incorporating artistic visuals and sound to fully immerse audiences. They demonstrate how carefully-crafted design can convey a distinct narrative, without words.
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Saint Laurent’s show centered themes of stillness, nature, and temporal suspension. The Bourse de Commerce, a historic museum which houses contemporary art, served as its venue. Restored by Japanese architect Tadao Ando in 2021, the structure consists of an expansive concrete cylinder, which supports the building’s famed dome. Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent’s creative director, opted for an afternoon presentation, allowing natural sunlight to trickle down through the sand-toned space. An installation by French artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot provided the soundscape. Set in the middle of the circular floor, it featured a large water basin bearing porcelain bowls; melodic chimes filled the space as they collided atop bright blue water.
Louis Vuitton’s show celebrated Indian heritage through its bold set design: a life-sized rendition of the beloved board game, Snakes and Ladders. Creative director Pharell Williams noted that “’India has always inspired [him]—it’s where Snakes and Ladders was born, and the game felt like the perfect metaphor for life: the climbs, the falls, the lessons.’”
The runway set, created in collaboration with Studio Mumbai founder Bijoy Jain, featured a 2,700 square-meter game board. Giant snakes, painted in electric color, ascended through the earth-toned grid. Audience members were seated directly upon the board, becoming part of the show.
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At Ultrafabrics, we craft materials for the storyteller. Peruse these shades, inspired by the Paris runways, here: