Paris during Haute Couture Fashion Week is normally the domain of the world's biggest fashion houses. Yet, this year, amidst all the couture and catwalks, a touch of Dutch creativity also appeared. Artist Nancy Faas presented a striking art performance that combined fashion, dance, and visual art.
During Haute Couture Fashion Week 2026, artist Nancy Faas presented an art performance in Paris for the second time. This year, her new thematic universe was Love is a Battlefield Central, an art concept that brings together chess, mythology, transformation, and self-expression. The performance took place at the Atelier Néerlandais, the meeting place for Dutch artists, designers, and performers in the French capital. Faas presented a multidisciplinary performance for an international audience from the art, fashion, and media worlds, merging visual art, couture, jewelry, dance, and theater into a single narrative whole.
Faas collaborated with the Lucia Marthas Institute for Performing Arts in Amsterdam on the choreography. The performance was developed from concept to execution, together with choreographers and dancers from the institute. According to Faas, something special happens when different art forms converge. "When different art forms come together, a story emerges that you not only see, but also feel," says the artist.
“When different art forms come together, a story is created that you not only see, but also feel.”
The approximately twenty-minute performance deliberately deviated from the classic catwalk format. Instead of a linear fashion show, the audience witnessed a theatrical and almost cinematic structure that combined dance, performance, and visual symbolism. Music by artists including Wuthering Heights, Somebody's Watching Me en lose it various symbolic elements appeared on stage, such as birdcages with white doves, mirrors, masks, playing cards and sculptural objects.
These elements represent themes such as freedom, control, identity, seduction, and inner transformation. Within the concept, the chess game serves as a metaphor for strategy and autonomy. As Faas himself puts it: the real battle isn't played out outside of us, but within.
New couture pieces
The show also presented new work within the universe of Love is a BattlefieldFor example, Faas introduced a limited series of sculptural chess pieces in bronze, released in an edition of 69. Along the runway were also bronze Muses and sculptural table pieces that served as visual anchors within the artistic universe.
New couture pieces were also shown, including handmade designs with high-quality fabrics and in-house prints such as the Muse print kimono. In addition, the collection Sculptures to Wear expanded with new designs, including the lines Paris en The Year of the Horse.
Faas also introduced the new jewelry line Heart and Crown, in which the heart and crown symbolize autonomy, dignity and inner authority. Also the Muse Collection Jewels was presented, a collection of jewelry inspired by the Muses. New to the collection is also the limited edition perfume pendant The Ode, a sculptural piece of jewellery in which art and fragrance come together.
The performance concluded with a lap of honor by Nancy Faas and presenter Carolien ter Linden. The winner of the Nancy Faas challenge was also announced on the program. Wishing on a Star The broadcasts will be available on March 22nd and 29th at 4:00 PM on RTL 4 and then on Videoland for a year.
