Swedish actor Evin Ahmad shares her exclusive reflections with Vogue Scandinavia on experiencing the magic that is Chanel Haute Couture up close – and revelling in its cinematic parallels
For Evin Ahmad, stepping into the rarefied world of Chanel Haute Couture for the AW25 showcase was like walking onto the set of a beautifully crafted film set. Known for her layered performances and thoughtful approach to storytelling, the Swedish actor brought that same quiet curiosity to Paris this week.
“It reminded me so much of filmmaking,” Ahmad says. “Just like Couture, cinema is a collective craft. A five-minute scene can take days to shoot, and behind every frame there’s a collaboration between writers, directors, actors, costume designers, set builders – it’s all connected.”
Presented by the house’s design studio team, the AW25 Couture collection paid tribute to the Maison’s heritage of craftsmanship and elegance. “It was truly magical,” says Ahmad, reflecting on the day. “I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to craft, so stepping into a world where every detail is considered, every stitch intentional – it’s incredibly inspiring. Chanel has this way of creating not just a collection, but a universe. The atmosphere, the people, the quiet elegance – it all felt both timeless and alive.”
Chanel has this way of creating not just a collection, but a universe.
Evin Ahmad
"It instantly made me feel like I’d stepped into a scene from an old film.” Ahmad was drawn to her particular Chanel outfit for the show for its "undeniably cinematic” feeling. Photo: Courtesy of Chanel
For her appearance at the show, Ahmad leaned into the dream-like drama, slipping into a character as an acclaimed actor naturally would. Of her all all-black, buttoned mini outfit, with subtle sparkle and tulle detailing, she says: “There was something undeniably cinematic about the look – it instantly made me feel like I’d stepped into a scene from an old film, perhaps channeling someone like Jackie Kennedy.”
Ahmad describes how the look allowed her to step outside her usual style playbook. “The silhouette is quite different from what I usually wear; I tend to lean toward denim and structured jackets,” she explains. “But this felt like stepping out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. It was soft yet strong, elegant yet bold – and wearing it felt empowering.”
Photo: @evinahmad
Photo: @evinahmad
On the runway, the Chanel design studio team played with contrasts: delicate fabrics floated across the catwalk, grounded by bold silhouettes and structured accessories. Ahmad, no stranger to analysing character and narrative, found herself drawn to that creative tension.
“What struck me was how the collection balanced strength and softness so beautifully,” she says. “You’d see fabrics flowing like air, then suddenly be anchored by a structured boot or a sharp blazer. My favourite look was a skirt paired with a wide belt and a tailored jacket – it felt almost like a uniform, commanding yet poetic. That tension between discipline and freedom really stayed with me.”
Ahmad's favourite look from Chanel's AW25 Couture collection. “It felt almost like a uniform, commanding yet poetic.”.
But the runway was just one part of the Chanel world Ahmad stepped into. Ahead of the show, she was invited behind the scenes to le19M, Chanel’s Parisian hub dedicated to preserving the centuries-old craft of couture. There, eleven of the maison’s historic ateliers work side by side: embroiderers, pleaters, feather artisans and milliners, all honing their craft one delicate detail at a time.
“At Maison Lesage, I met an embroiderer who had been working there for forty years, and a tweed maker inspired by the countryside and nature,” she recalls. “Watching them work – sequin by sequin, thread by thread – was incredibly moving.”
Photo: @evinahmad
Photo: @evinahmad
To sit front row at Chanel Couture – one of the most coveted seats in fashion – is a moment Ahmad doesn’t take for granted. “It honestly means the world,” she says. “I’ve been to shows before, but Chanel has always felt like a dream just out of reach. So to be here now, as part of this moment, feels very special. I know this is something not everyone gets to experience, and I’ll look back on it one day and tell my children, ‘I was there.’”
Outside the grandeur of the show, Ahmad found herself adjusting to the gentler pace of the French capital. “Mostly wandering, to be honest,” she says. “Watching people, soaking in the energy. There’s so much inspiration in the way Parisians dress – it’s effortless but intentional.” Between strolls, she savoured memorable meals and perfectly brewed coffee. “That’s the Paris rhythm, isn’t it?” she muses. “Looking beautiful, eating well, and moving slowly through it all.”