Female strength has always been a subject of fascination and debate. What defines it? How should it look? This ongoing conversation seems to have reached fashion, particularly with the fall shows in Paris. At the center of this discussion is the imagery of female power and how it translates into the clothes women wear. The key question is: what does female strength look like in a world where gender norms and expectations are constantly evolving?
Anthony Vaccarello’s latest collection for Saint Laurent put this question at the forefront. The runway featured 24 ties, a seemingly archaic symbol of power, dangling like a noose around the necks of models, paired with sharp, wide-shoulder suits. Vaccarello described the look as inspired by a “quintessential female archetype.” The reference was to Yves Saint Laurent himself, with nods to his ’80s fashion—pinstripe shirts, high-waist trousers, and thick glasses. Each model paraded the suits, trench coats, leather jackets, and silk bathrobes that harkened back to the days when power dressing meant copying men’s silhouettes.
But is this what female strength looks like? It’s hard to ignore how limiting that visual is. Ties and suits have been signifiers of male dominance for centuries. Even as Vaccarello reinterpreted the look for women, it felt unimaginative, like a throwback to the days when the only way women could symbolize power was by mimicking male dress codes. This is not to say that sharp tailoring or masculine touches aren’t fashionable—they can be. But in a world where women are fighting for equality in boardrooms and beyond, should strength be defined by how closely a woman can resemble the men in power?
The fashion industry has long had a complicated relationship with gender. Designers have often been the ones pushing boundaries, playing with norms, and asking provocative questions about identity. Yet when it comes to what power looks like on a woman, many still turn to the familiar territory of oversized blazers and fitted trousers. This isn’t just a nod to corporate power, but also to a time when the corporate world was closed to women unless they blended in.
But today’s women are redefining power on their own terms. The traditional C-suite look, evoked so strongly in the Saint Laurent show, feels out of touch with the reality of modern female strength. Women are not simply seeking to imitate the male figures of the past. They are creating new archetypes that celebrate strength in more diverse and nuanced ways. Whether it’s through bold colors, flowing silhouettes, or unconventional materials, there is a growing movement to redefine power in fashion.
It isn’t just about what’s seen on the runway. Off the runway, the question of female strength is more complex. Women today are CEOs, activists, artists, and leaders in industries that have traditionally been dominated by men. They are expressing their strength in everything from tailored suits to loose dresses, challenging the idea that power has to fit into one mold. The very idea that power has a singular aesthetic feels dated.
In fashion, as in life, strength can take many forms. It can be subtle or bold, classic or avant-garde. It can mean wearing a power suit or a chiffon dress, depending on how it makes the wearer feel. What’s important is that women are given the freedom to define their own strength, without being confined to outdated notions of what power should look like. The Saint Laurent show was a reminder that fashion is still grappling with these questions, sometimes getting it right, sometimes not.
Ultimately, the Paris shows reflected the ongoing evolution of female strength in fashion. As designers continue to reinterpret and challenge old tropes, they’re also contributing to the broader conversation about how society views women and power. Strength doesn’t have to be about rigid structures or borrowed symbols from male wardrobes. It can be fluid, colorful, and entirely original. Fashion, at its best, is about possibility—and in today’s world, the possibilities for expressing female strength are endless.
As the Paris fashion season continued, the exploration of female strength moved beyond just suits and ties. Several designers took a more thoughtful approach, suggesting that strength can manifest in various forms. Some embraced softness and fluidity, presenting garments that were elegant yet empowering. Flowy dresses with bold patterns and unconventional textures made an appearance, signaling that strength doesn’t always have to be sharp or masculine. Designers like Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior showcased garments that celebrated femininity, merging historical references with modern sensibilities. Her designs suggested that strength lies in heritage and self-expression, not just in mimicking male attire.
This diversity of interpretation brings up a critical point about how fashion can reflect the complexities of women’s experiences. Strength is not monolithic. For some, it might be embodied in the formality of a suit; for others, it could be found in the freedom of a voluminous dress. What the Paris shows hinted at—but perhaps didn’t fully explore—is the idea that fashion should embrace all facets of womanhood, including the contradictions. There is power in fluidity, just as there is in structure. Fashion, therefore, has the potential to offer a more inclusive narrative of strength, one that accommodates both traditional and progressive ideas of femininity.
Another layer to the conversation is the role of inclusivity in defining female strength in fashion. For too long, strength has been depicted as something tied to Eurocentric ideals—thin, white, and traditionally beautiful. But the fashion world has slowly been broadening its horizons. This season saw more representation of women of color, diverse body types, and different gender expressions. While progress has been made, the question remains: is the industry truly ready to embrace a broader definition of female strength, or is it still stuck in old paradigms?
The power of fashion to shape cultural narratives cannot be underestimated. Clothing is more than just fabric; it’s a symbol of identity, confidence, and societal position. When designers choose to present strength through narrow lenses, they contribute to a limited understanding of what it means to be a strong woman. On the other hand, when they challenge these conventions, they open doors for broader representation and empowerment.
As discussions about gender, power, and identity continue to evolve, fashion will undoubtedly remain a key battleground. The Saint Laurent runway show, with its reliance on old-school power dressing, felt like a step backward for some. But it also ignited an important conversation about how women are seen—and how they see themselves—in positions of power. Whether through tailored suits, flowing fabrics, or something entirely different, fashion must continue to reflect the dynamic and multifaceted nature of female strength.