A theatrical couture performance at the Viktor & Rolf show

By Camille Bois-Martin.

A haute couture performance at Viktor & Rolf

Viktor & Rolf‘s invitation had already hinted at the theme of the show. Folded like origami, or a paper fortune-teller, and printed in vibrant colors, it foreshadowed a playful collection, to be composed and decomposed at will. Immersed in the darkness of the Grand Palais Immersif in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, the guests discovered a small couture play designed by the eponymous founders of the fashion house.

As the first bass notes of the soundtrack resounded on January 28th, the two couturiers reached the center of the stage, along with a model dressed in a neutral-toned gown. Throughout the twenty-minute show, she remained perfectly still. In front of her, dozens of silhouettes clad in black walked and struck a pose on the catwalk…

A final look composed from 25 other silhouettes

Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren then remove the only touch of color from each look standing in front of them — a collar, a cape, a petticoat, strips structuring ruffles, bows — and place it on the still model. They gradually compose a fascinating couture silhouette with vibrant, flamboyant colors – fuchsia, neon yellow, fiery orange… Like a royal doll, the model takes shape before a captivated audience, enthralled by this fashion performance.

As the designers went backstage, the model, suspended by wires, rose into the air, before she stopped at mid-height. She floated weightlessly, like a kite, the ruffles and flowing, fluttering fabrics of her outfit dancing in the air… The heavy black curtains closed to the joyful applause of the crowd.

All the looks from the Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2026 show