As the leaves begin to turn and a subtle chill creeps into the air, the world of fashion is undergoing its own dramatic transformation. Autumn-winter 2025-2026 is shaping up to be nothing short of a sartorial spectacle, with flamboyant styles, opulent materials, and a nostalgic nod to decades past dominating the runways and city streets alike. But perhaps the most eye-catching accessory isn’t a classic handbag or a pair of boots—it’s a plush monster named Labubu, swinging from the arms of fashionistas from Paris to Luxembourg.
Labubus, those quirky plush creatures with their oversized eyes and mischievous grins, have become a global phenomenon, according to RTL. Invented in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, these toys only reached international stardom after Chinese manufacturer Pop Mart began producing them in 2019. Their rise to fame reached new heights in 2024, when celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Kim Kardashian were spotted using Labubus as statement accessories, sparking a worldwide craze that shows no signs of slowing—at least, not quite yet.
The allure of Labubus lies not just in their oddball charm, but also in the thrill of the hunt. Each plush is sold in opaque packaging, keeping the character inside a mystery until purchase. This element of surprise has turned buying Labubus into a collector’s quest. As RTL reports, shoppers rarely stop at just one; the goal is to collect as many unique characters as possible, and the limited-edition nature of each series only adds to the frenzy.
Luxembourg’s trendy store Three52 has found itself at the epicenter of the Labubu mania. Christophe Afonso, cofounder of the boutique, told RTL that, at first, they could only release the toys during select time slots due to overwhelming demand—think long lines snaking down the street, eager buyers showing up at dawn for sales that wouldn’t start until late afternoon. Eventually, Three52 adapted by bringing in an intermediary supplier, allowing them to offer Labubus more consistently, though at a steep markup: customers pay between 60 and 90 euros per toy, far more than the official site, thanks to the difficulties of securing stock and the long wait for shipments from China.
Despite the price tag, the appetite for Labubus remains voracious. When Pop Mart opened a store in Berlin in July 2025, hundreds queued for hours, some even camping overnight just for a chance to snag one of the plush monsters. On one record-breaking day, Three52 sold 500 Labubus, and while sales have slowed slightly since, the store still moves several hundred plushes daily, both in-store and online. Yet Afonso predicts the trend may wane by October, as shoppers inevitably shift their attention to the next big thing.
The story of Labubus dovetails neatly with the broader themes sweeping the autumn-winter 2025-2026 collections. According to Gala.fr, this season is all about turning the page on minimalism and embracing extravagance, bold colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and luxurious materials. The mood is audacious, sensual, and tinged with nostalgia—a celebration of individuality and a playful wink at fashion’s storied past.
“The silhouette that emerges is that of a strong, feminine woman who commands attention without provocation. A heroine, but not necessarily combative; elegant, but not aggressive,” explained Sophie Hersan, cofounder and fashion director of Vestiaire Collective, in an interview with Marie-Claire. This ethos is reflected in the abundance of silky fabrics, warm hues, and the surprising return of fur—mostly faux, but not always—across runways from Chloé to Balenciaga. As Le Monde observed earlier this month, “Whether synthetic and blamed by environmentalists or real and despised by animal rights activists, fur is the strongest trend of autumn-winter 2025-2026, also suggesting a desensitized relationship to animal welfare.”
Power dressing is back with a vengeance, channeling the sharp-shouldered silhouettes of the 1980s. Think blazers with exaggerated cuts, tailored suits, and lace tights—a sartorial homage to the era of disco, office sirens, and unapologetic self-expression. Designers like Givenchy, Stella McCartney, and Ludovic de Saint Sernin are leading the charge, with Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello sparking a noticeable spike in sales of structured power suits, according to Vestiaire Collective.
Not to be outdone, the “Pirate-core” trend is sweeping through collections, inspired by Victorian and swashbuckling aesthetics. Picture frilled crinolines, leather vests, and boots straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. Maria Grazia Chiuri’s recent Dior show was a theatrical voyage, while Ann Demeulemeester and Isabel Marant offered their own romantic, rock-infused interpretations. Slouchy boots and buckled biker styles add a rebellious edge, perfect for anyone looking to inject a bit of indie sleaze into their autumn wardrobe.
Color, too, is having a major moment. The subdued palette of “quiet luxury” is out; in its place, designers are embracing vibrant hues—baby pinks, sunset oranges, carmine reds, and chick yellows. On the runways of Saint Laurent, Prada, Gucci, and Miu Miu, rules about clashing colors have been gleefully tossed aside. “As winter sets in, colors will soften. We’ll see more ivory, pale pink, baby blue, white, and greige as December approaches,” predicted Léna Clodoré, lead designer at La Redoute, in an interview with Gala.fr.
The maximalist spirit extends to accessories, with belts taking center stage. This season, it’s all about oversized metallic buckles, belt stacking, and even corset-inspired styles, as seen at Schiaparelli, Acne Studios, and Balmain. Jewelry-adorned belts worn low on the hips or cinched tightly over flowing dresses and tailored coats are the finishing touch on many standout looks.
No roundup of 2025 style would be complete without a nod to the Y2K revival. The carefree, cheeky energy of the early 2000s is back in full force: logo t-shirts, low-rise jeans, faux fur accessories, crop tops, and chunky jewelry are everywhere. After John Galliano’s “J’adore Dior” t-shirts and Chloé’s reissued Paddington bag hit the runways, searches for these nostalgic pieces soared by 70% on resale platforms, Sophie Hersan told Gala.fr. Denim, too, is back in total looks, with designers like Balenciaga and Coperni encouraging bold, head-to-toe blue ensembles.
Animal prints are holding strong, from leopard and tiger to cow and python, making appearances at Valentino, Saint Laurent, and Fendi, among others. Even pony hair and zebra stripes are getting their moment, not just on coats and boots but on accessories and statement pieces throughout many collections.
Yet, for all the flash and flair, there’s an undercurrent of introspection about what these trends say about our times. As Emilie Hammen, fashion historian at Palais Galliera, noted for Gala.fr, “This season, what struck me was the relationship to history. In recent years, designers and fashion houses have focused on political, ecological, and diversity issues. This year, that discourse has shifted to reflections on heritage and, more broadly, on time itself.”
In the end, autumn-winter 2025-2026 is a season that celebrates both the joy of dressing up and the thrill of chasing the next big thing—whether it’s a plush monster dangling from a handbag or a power suit that channels the spirit of Joan Collins. For now, the world is watching, collecting, and, above all, expressing itself with unapologetic style.
