Coperni’s designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, known for their unique presentations, took over Paris’s adidas Arena and set up a real-life “LAN party,” complete with rows of gamers immersed in Fortnite and Rocket League matches. Hotdog stands and popcorn stalls greeted attendees at the entrance, signaling that this wasn’t your traditional runway. It felt like stepping into a 90s computer gathering—back when online interaction still held a spark of mystery.
Models wove around the gamers, revealing a lineup that balanced corporate edge with renegade spirit. Sharp-shouldered jackets featured hidden hand straps, evoking an almost tactical vibe, while long parkas with asymmetrical fastenings hinted at high-speed winter sports. Skin-hugging cargo tights and bodysuits in subdued sci-fi hues cut through the scene, bringing a sleek, purposeful energy. A wave of leather and suede followed, with zip-up layers and oversized outerwear bridging business formality and late-night gaming grit.
Then came the rebellious denim, scuffed and worn low, recalling an era of basement internet cafés and neon-lit chat rooms. Dragon motifs and tribal embroideries popped up, referencing the hacker ethos and a certain cult novel’s heroine. Cropped tops and layered jackets tapped into a grunge undercurrent, contrasted by more refined details like sculptural necklines and pleated dresses. Glimpses of preppy kilt cuts and checkered hoods echoed gaming avatars’ uniform-like ensembles—each look a new level in Coperni’s glitchy, adrenaline-fueled universe.
Evening pieces arrived in two distinct modes: fur-lined statement coats for a sub-zero approach, and fluid dresses with adjustable straps that could be halted at the thigh, preserving just enough mystery. One of the show’s highlights was an ASCII-inspired print that transformed code into a floral swirl, making technology feel almost poetic. Another standout was a meticulously embroidered pearl fabric that caught the light with each step—like the static flicker of an old computer monitor brought to life.
Coperni’s signature Swipe bag got a playful reboot as a Tamagotchi case, paying homage to a pocket-sized obsession many remember from school hallways and cluttered bedroom floors. The brand also unveiled a new collaboration with Ray-Ban and Meta, delivering the first Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni edition: a pair of Wayfarers with built-in AI assistance. Transparency and mirrored lenses converged on a sleek frame, bridging the physical world with the digital. Amelia Gray, Rejoice Chuol, Issa Lish, and Hanna Leszek all wore them, underlining the show’s tech-meets-human focus.
To wrap the night, Coperni presented quilted sleeping bag dresses with corset-like structures, a final nod to marathon gaming sessions gone well past dawn. It was a spirited reminder that in an age of endless connectivity, there’s still an electric thrill in coming together IRL—whether you’re competing in an online tournament or simply sitting front row at a fashion show where every look feels like a new adventure.
