PFW SS25: Malan Breton

Image: Hannah Guyer (@hannahguyer_)

Settling into Salon Impérial’s golden ambiance at Le Westin, Paris Fashion Week guests awaited the unveiling of Malan Breton’s SS25’ collection. The ballroom was grandiose, decorated with resplendent deep red velvet curtains, illuminated by intricate crystal chandeliers. Heavy bass slowly descended over the audience as a dramatic soundtrack akin to what you’d hear at the height of an action film preempted the unveiling of the collection. 

Hailing from Taipei, Breton began as a young talent now turned globally acclaimed designer. Impactful beyond his years - he’s an influence you’ve likely not heard of yet, as noted by British Vogue. Though having been in the industry - shifting trends for years, he’s seemingly flown under the radar for many. 

Image: Hannah Guyer (@hannahguyer_)

Making an appearance on Project Runway and The Malan Show, Breton is dedicated to the upward trajectory of his collections and honing his craft. A true jack of all trades, Breton is known for his work across mediums, some of which include his role as an actor, film director, writer, musician, and even the Goodwill ambassador to Taiwan.

The wide variety of experiences that Breton has amassed is clearly displayed on the runway. An intricate attention to detail is presented alongside masculine-influenced tailoring. Nuanced takes on the interaction between leather and more delicate materials like chiffon, cascaded down the runway. Guests were audibly gasping when arguably, the most show stopping dress entered the venue. A model styled in a vibrant blue evening gown sashayed her way across the Napoleon III era ballroom. 

Image: Hannah Guyer (@hannahguyer_)

Breton is known for his signature merging of classic and sleek tailoring featuring contemporary aptitudes. Working within a colour palette of primarily royal and cerulean blues, neutral black and dark brown balanced their way into the collection. Exaggerated leather lapels on jackets presented in a cerulean blue extending over the chest and out in a deep-v shape. Dramatic, pointed shoulder details created a sensual, almost mysterious-villain vibe to various garments showcased in the collection. 

Image: Hannah Guyer (@hannahguyer_)

In the second half of the show, the tone of the playlist changed quite swiftly with the revealing of delicate evening gowns. Those of which shifted the colourway of the overall series, including a pale canary yellow and soft seafoamy green. The floor length garments were detail-oriented with overlapping stitching, presenting patterns in monochrome hues. Models were styled to have slicked back ponytails, and presented full-beat glam looks. Bold yet curated spectacle was the hallmark of this collection. Supermodel, Elton Ilirjani closed the show in a blue and black leather strapless dress. 

Image: Hannah Guyer (@hannahguyer_)

Over time Breton has solidified his position in the fashion industry as a leading designer, willing to push boundaries and expand stylistic appeal. The SS25’ collection presented at Paris fashion week was a confirmation of the designer's affinity for drama and high quality materials.