Brands continue to expand their cultural positioning as the focus on accessories grows.

Across Paris during fashion week, contemporary brands appeared to be playing it safe, leaning on familiar signatures and proven commercial formulas as they look to strengthen their positioning in an increasingly challenging market.

Collections focused on updating the wardrobe, particularly with accessories. Brands are increasingly looking to handbags and shoes — what with their “accessible luxury” pricing plus the higher margins they provide — to stabilize sales numbers. That was evidenced by several brands introducing new styles, or adding multiple sizes.

Across collections, floral prints and texture were used to create a soft embellishment, with looks capturing the more feminine energy on the runways.

Aigle took a more functional approach, introducing fashion-forward details to its technical heritage without sacrificing wearability through its collaboration with Setchu.

But as brands are concentrating on strong commercial offerings, they are continuing to turn to heritage, art and cultural partnerships to do a lot of the heavy lifting for differentiation. The presentations’ locations and elaborate experiences gave the season a strong sense of elevation — and provided some pretty good canapés.

Here, a roundup of what some of the leading contemporary brands showed in Paris.

Aigle is continuing to step into more fashion-forward territory, with Setchu designer Satoshi Kuwata bringing his twist to the French outdoor brand’s functional wardrobe.

The standout of the season was a pair of thigh-high rubber boots finished with oversize bows. Part fisherman, part Parisienne, he transformed the practical rainwear staple into something decidedly more fun.

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