Schiaparelli once again opened Paris Haute Couture Week with a collection that mixed surreal design with expert craftsmanship. While much of the attention went to Daniel Roseberry's sculptural silicone corsets and bold silhouettes, one surprising detail was easy to miss: one couture look featured real flowers.
The house's Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture collection, titled 'The Abyss', explored the meeting point between nature and modern fashion. According to Schiaparelli's official show notes, one of the collection's most detailed outfits included genuine flowers alongside fish scales and ribbon flowers.
One Couture Look Featured Real Flowers
One of the collection's standout looks was a matching jacket and leggings covered with real flowers, fish scales and handmade ribbon flowers. According to Schiaparelli's official show notes, the unusual combination was carefully crafted by the house's couture artisans. The design reflected Daniel Roseberry's approach of blending natural and unexpected materials.
The flowers on these Schiaparelli couture looks are real: fed sugar water to preserve them and embroidered on. pic.twitter.com/0ckiJZrDHV
— Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) July 6, 2026
Rather than relying only on embroidery or printed florals, Schiaparelli incorporated genuine flowers directly into the garment. The real blooms added depth and texture that could not be achieved through fabric alone. Every element was carefully placed to preserve the look's intricate finish.
While floral motifs appeared throughout the collection, this ensemble was unique because it featured actual flowers as part of its construction. The mix of botanical and handcrafted elements gave the outfit a striking three-dimensional effect. It also highlighted the exceptional craftsmanship at the heart of Paris Haute Couture.
'The Abyss' Mixed Nature With Modern Materials
Roseberry's latest couture collection balanced natural beauty with experimental materials. Silicone, glossy finishes and sculptural shapes appeared throughout the show alongside traditional couture techniques such as embroidery, lacework and hand-applied embellishments.
'The Abyss' collection for ✨️Schiaparelli✨️ Fall/Winter 2026 Couture.🪡 pic.twitter.com/GNYSdPGnjR
— La Mode Unknown (@LaModeUnknown) July 6, 2026
In his show notes, Roseberry asked whether luxury comes from expensive materials or from the craftsmanship that transforms them. That idea ran through 'The Abyss', where modern materials such as silicone appeared beside natural elements, including the real flowers used in one look.
Splashes of colour @ Schiaparelli couture aw26 pic.twitter.com/FdmUpP2TTx
— linda (@itgirlbackup) July 6, 2026
The collection also took inspiration from nature through its colour palette. Soft shades of mint, saffron, lobster pink, violet and tangerine were paired with Schiaparelli's signature gold details and dramatic black tones.
Craftsmanship Was the Collection's Real Star
Beyond its eye-catching silhouettes, the collection celebrated the work of Schiaparelli's couture ateliers. Every embroidered flower, lace detail and sculptural finish showed the many hours of handwork needed to create each garment.
The outfit featuring real flowers was one of the clearest examples of that craftsmanship. Adding delicate botanical materials to a wearable piece required great care and precision, highlighting the level of skill behind Paris Haute Couture.
Although social media quickly focused on the collection's sculptural silicone designs, the use of real flowers became one of its most overlooked details. It rewarded those who looked closely at the craftsmanship behind the runway spectacle.
Why the Real Flowers Matter
The use of genuine flowers reinforced Roseberry's theme of bringing together natural and man-made materials. By combining real flowers with silicone, fish scales and other unexpected elements, Schiaparelli showed that innovation and traditional craftsmanship can exist in the same design.
For fashion fans, discovering that one of the collection's standout looks featured real flowers adds another reason to admire the artistry behind 'The Abyss'. Sometimes, the smallest details leave the biggest impression.
