Podcast Summary: The Run-Through with Vogue

Episode: From Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel Debut to “Protect the Dolls”: The Moments That Defined Fashion in 2025
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Nicole Phelps (Director of Vogue Runway)
Guests: Virginia Smith (Global Head of Fashion Network, Vogue) & Laia Garcia-Furtado (Senior Fashion News Editor, Vogue Runway)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Run-Through with Vogue reflects on the biggest fashion moments and movements that defined 2025. From designer debuts at major fashion houses to viral trends, landmark celebrity and red carpet appearances, cultural statements, and industry farewells, Nicole, Virginia, and Laia offer opinions, stories, and behind-the-scenes insights on a year of milestone changes and memorable moments in the fashion world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Fashion Moments of 2025

Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel Debut

• Virginia’s Top Moment: "Edouard closing the Chanel show was my fashion moment of the year... so authentic and emotional..." (01:13)
• Blazy’s debut at the Grand Palais evoked real joy, with model Edouard’s spontaneous embrace and genuine friendship with Blazy on display:

  “When she was the last one out, she opened her arms and just sort of embraced the moment… her joy in celebrating him and Chanel…” – Virginia Smith (01:41-02:34)

• Laia added the viral effect:

  “Lucienne Pages was livestreaming it on his Instagram... her in that dress and walking and clapping and the hug and the joyfulness… all of that was so Matthieu.” (02:55-03:47)

Dario Vitale’s Brief but Impactful Versace

• Laia’s Favorite/Least Favorite Moment:

  “My favorite moment, which is like actually my favorite and my least favorite… was Dario Vitale’s debut collection for Versace…” (03:55)

• Praised for returning Versace to its “raw and edgy” 80s roots.
• Vitale’s abrupt departure brought disappointment:

  “…then last week, Darío was announced that he’s leaving. And so it’s like my only joy and my only sadness come from the same person.” (05:12)

2. IT Items & Viral Trends of the Year

Labubu Craze

• The toy (Labubu) became a “must-have” accessory attached to designer bags, reaching everywhere from Naomi Osaka at the US Open to celebrities and ‘custom-outfit’ Labubus.

  “I think the point of this year… is like, the more the world feels like it’s coming down, the more people just want to have fun.” – Laia (06:18)

Scarves and Sarongs

• Sarongs and scarves, inspired by 90s Alanis Morissette and channeled by new Dries Van Noten designer Julian Klassner, marked another major item trend:

  “…Julian did all sarongs for the menswear show, which was incredible…” – Laia (07:44)

3. Big Designer Debuts & Change-Ups

Game of Musical Chairs

• 2025 saw a whirlwind of major house shifts, dubbed “September to Remember”:

  “The September to Remember game of musical chairs. I feel like we have been talking about it for like 10 years…” — Laia (12:01)

• Highlights:
  • Rachel Scott’s soft launch at Proenza Schouler
  • Jonathan Anderson’s acclaimed new direction at Dior:

    “He’s just such a master at this combination of something classic with casual and sort of his eccentric twist on it...” — Virginia (13:43)

  • Chanel’s subway show in New York:

    “I think the fact that it’s Chanel… coming to a New York subway… I guess that’s why [it caught on].” – Virginia (16:00)

4. Messages & Movements

Protect the Dolls

• Connor Ives’ “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt at his fall show became a viral, meaningful moment, supporting trans women and raising $600k for charity:

  “He just made it for himself… and then people really wanted the T-shirt… All of the proceeds went to charity, and then like, Pedro Pascal ended up wearing it.” – Laia (17:01)

Celebrity Collaborations and Street Style

• Timothée Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme” jackets, blending New York attitude with high fashion, went viral and became the most coveted streetwear item:

  "When you see Timmy wearing it, you’re like, yeah, that's cool. I want to wear a Marty supreme jacket with my Tim's." – Laia (18:26)

5. Red Carpet & Celebrity Moments

Michelle Obama’s Book Tour Looks

• Virginia’s red carpet highlight:

  “Michelle Obama in Chanel is my... top red carpet look of the entire year.” – Virginia (24:45)

• Also praised for her Loewe look, which she wore before anyone else after the show (25:28).

Met Gala: “Superfine Tailoring Black Style”

• Emotional impact of seeing Andre Leon Talley’s LV luggage showcased; joyful atmosphere among artists and collaborators (26:54–28:39).

6. Farewells and Future Shifts

Giorgio Armani’s Passing

• The team recalls the news breaking in the office and how fashion icons like Richard Gere, Cate Blanchett, and Lauren Hutton shared remembrances (29:31–30:47).
• September’s Armani show: a poignant tribute attended by longtime muses and friends.

Looking Ahead to 2026

• Laia is excited for debuts by Meryl Rogue at Marni and Antonin Tron at Balmain, and hopes for Vitale’s quick return (31:57–32:08).
• Maria Grazia Chiuri’s move to Fendi and anticipation for the next Versace designer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Blazy’s debut at Chanel:

  “…she opened her arms and just sort of embraced the moment in front of all of us. And it was… so authentic and emotional… What an incredible debut for him to have that moment.” – Virginia Smith (01:41–02:34)

• On Versace's new/old cool:

  “Immediately I saw and I was like, this is how I want to dress, like, all the way…” – Laia (04:13)

• On the Labubu boom:

  “I saw Labubus wearing Tom Brad, and Labu was wearing Prada. And, you know, it’s fun. …The more the world feels like it’s coming down, the more people just want to have fun.” – Laia (06:32)

• On the Protect the Dolls moment:

  “He just made it for himself... It became a moment. And I think what’s cool about it... is that it was sort of... organic engagement or, like, authenticity. And I feel like that also helped it sort of become a bigger thing.” – Laia (17:01–18:02)

• On Michelle Obama’s post-White House style:

  “Michelle Obama in Chanel is my... top red carpet look of the entire year. I mean, it was surprising and it was so incredibly chic.” – Virginia (24:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:13 — Virginia’s defining fashion moment: Edouard closing Chanel
• 03:55 — Laia on Dario Vitale’s Versace debut
• 05:42 — Labubu as the "IT" item of the year
• 06:44 — Scarves and sarongs trend
• 11:59 — “September to Remember” designer musical chairs
• 13:43 — Jonathan Anderson's debut at Dior
• 16:00 — Chanel’s show in the NYC subway
• 17:01 — Protect the Dolls and viral charity tee
• 18:26 — Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme merch
• 20:27 — Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Celine flare jeans
• 21:01 — Bumpster jeans comeback
• 23:09 — Grace Wales Bonner’s appointment at Hermès menswear
• 24:45 — Michelle Obama’s book tour style
• 26:54 — Met Gala and Tyler Mitchell photo shoot
• 29:31 — Remembering Giorgio Armani
• 31:57 — Anticipation for 2026: new Marni, Balmain, Fendi, and Versace

Conclusion

In a year marked by breakthrough designer debuts, shifting house lineups, boundary-pushing trends, and emotional moments of loss and celebration, the Vogue team’s reflections reveal a vibrant, ever-changing industry fueled by both nostalgia and innovation. Their spirited discussion captures how fashion not only shapes—and is shaped by—culture, but also draws people together around moments of beauty, “buzz,” and meaning.

For full episode context, this summary omits advertisements and playlist outtakes. All quotes are attributed and timestamped for deeper reference.