SET SAIL

The standout cruise 2025 collections delivered fantasy, dreamy destinations and plenty of fabulous fashion.

- AARON KOK

With the world in its current state, we could all do well with a little daydream. And while fashion has long been held up as a cultural reflection of the world around us, it's all the better that for the cruise 2025 season, the best collections have decided to buck reality in favour of transporting us into a chic reverie.

There was Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior, who GUCCI looked to the mythic and at times savage charm of Scotland. What transpired was a procession of models in the requisite tartan cut in silhouettes that reference iconic Dior dresses of the past, and plenty of punk-like regalities that befit a modern-day Mary, Queen of Scots.

Then, into Swinging London, is Sabato De Sarno's first cruise outing. Set in the Tate Modern on a scene that combined the museum's famed Brutalist architecture with lush greenery brought in by De Sarno's team, the designer composed a wardrobe that echoed the ease and nonchalance of the Seventies, while retaining his penchant for sleek structures.

There were bows, crochet flowers, capes, fringe and even baggy jeans-all light, fun and made you want to dress up.

Perhaps the biggest buzz of the season came from Alessandro Michele, who dropped a whopping collection of 171 looks, marrying Valentino's opulence with Michele's own eccentric magic. It was a masterclass of character-dressing-you could be everyone and anyone in this treasure trove of the outlandish, the stylish and the quirky.

Ahead, BAZAAR takes you on the road to discover three collections from the cruise 2025 season, presented in fabulously far-flung locales.

BALENCIAGA

IN SHANGHAI

Where Demna goes, the drama follows and the Balenciaga cruise 2025 show, which doubled as the Maison's first runway show staged in China, is a testament.