Fashion People – "We’re Chanel Girls Now"

Host: Lauren Sherman
Guest: Becky Malinsky
Date: October 7, 2025
Main Theme:
A lively, insider’s debrief of Paris Fashion Week, highlighting standout collections (especially Chanel’s dramatic debut under a new designer), the evolving fashion consumer, retail experiences, and must-have buys. Lauren Sherman and Becky Malinsky assess the mood in Paris, dig into show specifics, and candidly reflect on how luxury brands are shifting to meet market and cultural currents.

Episode Overview

Lauren Sherman, fashion and beauty correspondent at Puck, sits down with writer and stylist Becky Malinsky for a comprehensive rundown of Paris Fashion Week. The conversation covers the week's "nervous energy," design highlights from The Row to Chanel, American fashion’s current ascendancy, retail and accessibility challenges, and their own shopping adventures. The episode’s centerpiece is a deep dive into Chanel’s new creative direction, which delivers rare optimism to a season of ambivalence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Paris Fashion Week Mood – “Nervous Energy, Isolating Season”

• Jetlag & Debriefs: Both hosts had just returned from Paris (01:54), noting how this season felt especially isolating and intense compared to prior years.

• Insider Quote:

  “I was just all over the place, kind of by myself.”
  — Becky Malinsky (03:59)

• Describes how fashion week often feels lonely, but this time was intensified by “a lot of pressure in every aspect—media, buyers, all these debuts.”

  “There was a lot of nervous energy in the room in a lot of places.”
  — Becky Malinsky (05:25)

• Despite early week exhaustion, Chanel’s closing show was described as outright “electric” and uplifting:

  “The energy leaving Chanel last night was so electric. Everyone was so happy, so excited. Singing.”
  — Becky Malinsky (05:25)

2. Generational Shifts and 80s Nostalgia

• Noted that a wave of designers (born between 1980 and 1984) are referencing the 80s, creating fashion that resonates deeply with their peer cohort.
• 80s themes spotted across Chloe, Valentino, Celine.

  “Every time I saw an 80s reference, I was really happy.”
  — Becky Malinsky (06:43)

3. The Row & “The Return of Clothes”

• The Row praised for offering “fully formed ideas, full outfits”—a contrast to half-styled, body-reliant looks elsewhere.

  “At this point, I’m desperate to see clothes... The challenge now is to complete an entire outfit.”
  — Becky Malinsky (07:03)

• Lauren notes practicality:

  “Styling is actually super simple. But I do think the styling gives you an idea of like, ‘okay, this is how I want to look and present this year.’”
  — Lauren Sherman (08:22)

4. Chloe, Celine, & The Pull of Accessible Elegance

• Recognition that Chloe’s creative evolution means it’s not static and may soon generate hit bags/shoes. Celine (“poster child” for the moment’s optimism) showcases “real-person” full looks.

  “It looks like full outfits...put together by a real person and a reflection of how we want to dress right now, but in an elevated way.”
  — Lauren Sherman (10:50)

• Celine’s “slouchy,” relaxed tailoring hits the season’s mood.

  “Everything feeling like beautiful fabrics, really dressed, but really relaxed. It was the same at Chanel.”
  — Becky Malinsky (11:16)

5. American Fashion’s Influence & The Polo Shirt Phenomenon

• A noticeable Americanization of runway: designers, styling, and polo shirts. American market’s size and consumption patterns are shaping European brands.

  “Brands are nervous. The economic climate is unstable. I think people really are looking to America.”
  — Becky Malinsky (15:03)

• Ralph Lauren’s resurgence cited as a key influence:

  “Ralph Lauren is like the center of the fashion industry right now. Everyone’s thinking about Ralph Lauren.”
  — Lauren Sherman (12:56)

6. The Shift in Market Dynamics

• Discussion of American vs European consumption, the rise of Americans as creative directors, and how it all feeds optimism and transformation at legacy brands.
• Lauren: “In America, I buy a new pair of shoes from The Row every single season... People there [Europe] don’t spend the way Americans do.”

Collection Highlights

Alaia

• “Uplifting” despite some controversial “bondage pieces.” Both praise accessories, especially “fringe stockings” (23:02).

  “He has some magical gift for accessories...you could buy these weird fringe stockings and put them under a little black dress and all of a sudden have this mind-blowing outfit.”
  — Becky Malinsky (23:02)

• Discussion on the responsibility of designers to be aware of current sociopolitical climates vs pure creative process.

Margiela

• Mixed reactions to “stitched open mouth” looks; Lauren admires the boldness, Becky reads it as “Handmaid’s Tale” referencing.

  “Like the Margiela label with the four stitches...I thought that was brilliant.”
  — Lauren Sherman (22:16)

Hermes

• Applaud stellar celebrity front row (Ina Garten, Julia Louis Dreyfus) and a “zipped up and sharp” collection.

  "This is how you do a celebrity front row...cool, interesting people in the center of pop culture who are also rich."
  — Lauren Sherman (27:39)

Chanel (Matthieu Blazy’s Debut)

• The centerpiece: Chanel’s new direction seen as transformative, energizing, and a masterclass in balancing house codes with innovation.

  “I was blown away, and I was just like, this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m a Chanel girl now.”
  — Lauren Sherman (31:47)

• Audible gasps during the runway; new silhouettes bring “ease, slouch, youth.”

  “Audible gasps throughout the show from all sides. It was so fantastic. The new shapes, the slouch... Everything just felt a bit easier, a bit younger.”
  — Becky Malinsky (31:56)

• Emphasis on desire-creation:

  “That feels like a fantasy that I want to be a part of, and I haven’t felt that in years from a fashion show.”
  — Lauren Sherman (34:58)

• Concerns raised over the brand’s intimidating retail approach:

  “There is a velvet rope, a kiosk and an iPad. If you don’t have an appointment, you are not allowed in.”
  — Becky Malinsky (42:31) “I want, like, I hope it becomes a more inviting place.”
  — Becky Malinsky (43:42)

Retail & Shopping Experiences

On Retail Accessibility

“It’s going to be what kind of consumer do you want to have? Do you only want this consumer who wants to be knocked around a little bit psychologically?”
— Becky Malinsky (45:14)

“They have to figure out ways to make it a little more natural and easy.”
— Lauren Sherman (43:45)

• Customer service and personal outreach, e.g., Alaia, now includes post-purchase gestures (sending chocolate/flowers).

  “Because they...I think they sent her like chocolate to their room or something.”
  — Becky Malinsky (46:47)

Charvet

• Named “the center of the fashion industry” for insiders—exemplary service and craftsmanship at prices seen as real value.

  “It has truly become, for Americans in particular, the one stop on the retail train for Fashion Week.”
  — Lauren Sherman (48:44)

Ruby Rosa

• Paris's new must-visit spot for “beautiful colors, the right shades,” pajamas, sweaters, and loafers—a Charvet-like “world,” per Becky (50:14).

Phoebe Philo

• Both hosts purchased Phoebe Philo pants—her first collections post-Celine generate buzz and loyalty.

  “It does feel like the only thing right now that people are like, OK, I’ll...buy.”
  — Lauren Sherman (57:10)

Standout Quotes & Moments

• On the significance of Chanel’s new direction:

  “He used all the elements of Chanel, and instead of using them as tropes, he used them as fashion.”
  — Lauren Sherman (33:41)

• On brand desirability:

  “We have so much access to so many different things. We don’t need to buy any of this stuff. But I was like, you know what? I want to be a part of this. And it was really special.”
  — Lauren Sherman (35:28)

• On skirt culture:

  “It’s a great time to be a skirt person.”
  — Becky Malinsky (32:12)

• On price accessibility:

  “If you price your shoe at 1,390, you’ll sell some. If you price it at 890...you’re going to sell a million.”
  — Becky Malinsky (61:01)

• On minimalism’s challenge online:

  “Minimalism does not translate as well online. And so much of shopping now is e-commerce.”
  — Becky Malinsky (63:09)

Notable Timestamps

• 01:54 — Paris Fashion Week recap begins
• 05:25 — The “intense, isolating” energy of this season
• 06:47 — Highlights of 80s fashion references
• 07:03 — Praise for The Row’s “complete” outfits
• 11:16 — Celine’s slouch, relaxed mood as the week’s theme
• 15:03 — American fashion’s ascendance and market focus
• 20:57 — Views on Alaia and Margiela’s show choices
• 27:34 — Hermes front row and collection reactions
• 31:05 — Chanel’s transformative show, “I’m a Chanel girl now”
• 42:31 — On Chanel’s store experience; accessibility debates
• 48:44 — Worshipping Charvet as an insider’s retail Mecca
• 50:14 — Discovery of Ruby Rosa
• 53:30 — Phoebe Philo shopping stories, why her clothes endure
• 59:00 — Quick Milan price point debate

Conclusion

Lauren and Becky close with thoughts about the current industry reset: optimism reborn at heritage houses like Chanel, retail’s pressing need for inclusivity, and the complicated realities behind price and accessibility. Personal shopping takeaways and upcoming fashion debates signal ongoing change—and irresistible new reasons to care about fashion.

For listeners seeking an alluring, unfiltered look inside what truly matters to today’s fashion people, this episode is a must.
Episode mood: Energized, candid, full of real industry wisdom and humor.