For Shan Huq, vulnerability is not weakness, but the most genuine form of strength. His SS25 collection reflects this belief, as he reimagines power through designs that celebrate softness and innocence. Drawing on figures like Marie Antoinette and Niki de Saint Phalle, Huq finds inspiration in women who balanced beauty with an effortless command of their environments.

By returning to Paris Fashion Week, Huq brings a refined clarity to his work. His approach this season is rooted in a deep understanding of his own creative evolution, where he takes his time to develop pieces that offer more than surface-level appeal. His collaboration with Philipp Timischl brings humor and depth, incorporating pop culture references like the Cookie Monster pajama pants, adding a playful element to the collection’s sophisticated undercurrent.

In a fashion landscape that often equates power with masculinity, Huq offers a counterpoint. His collection suggests that true strength lies in embracing all facets of identity, allowing vulnerability and softness to take their rightful place in fashion’s power narrative.

Your SS25 collection incorporates the power of vulnerability. How do you see this dynamic between innocence and strength playing out in your designs?

I think there's nothing more powerful than vulnerability. It’s basically the root of all humanity. You can’t really get anything more real than that. Which I think is the biggest strength of all.

You’ve drawn inspiration from figures like Marie Antoinette and Niki de Saint Phalle. How have these women shaped your creative vision for this collection?

Both of them are women who commanded power in their worlds without really trying to appear anything more than beautiful women.

Fashion often gravitates toward more traditionally masculine expressions of power. How does your collection challenge those ideas by focusing on 'girlishness'?

These are all great clothes that can be worn by beautiful people. You can look strong in a white lace dress. I really just wanted to offer a new proposition.

After several years away from Paris Fashion Week, what new perspectives have you brought into your work with this collection?

It’s funny because while designing the collection I thought it really was going to be drastically different than anything I’ve done before. But when I saw the line up I really was reminded of a few collections I’ve done. But new perspectives I think the biggest thing is trying to move slowly and really taking time to develop clothes the best I can.

You collaborated with artist Philipp Timischl for SS25. What was the collaborative process like, and how did his work influence the collection?

Philipp had been a friend of mine for a bit, I used to work at his gallery in Paris High Art. I was obsessed with the idea of the Cookie Monster pyjama pants that are a meme in the US and tried to find a character to do them with. I asked Philipp because in his last show he had these raccoons in different settings and thought it was great. I asked him, he said yes and then I basically just sent him references and he sent me back graphics. It was super easy and great to work together.

Celebrating softness as a form of power feels timely. How do you think this message connects with today’s audience, particularly younger people?

I’m not really sure exactly how it connects to today’s audience or young people. I would hope it would challenge their set idea that you can command power and authority without wearing a black suit.