Think of the fashion weeks that take place across New York, London, Milan and Paris, and what may first come to mind are models on runways. And while unveiling new designs, and subsequently getting people to buy the clothes, may be the focus of each show, backstage, outside events and amongst the audience, there’s so much more to see.

We tasked Paris-based photographer Cha Gonzalez with seeking out the moments missed, or edited out of traditional fashion week coverage, in favor of offering a more candid view. Here’s what she saw at Stella McCartney, Yohji Yamamoto, Hermès, Valentino, and Thom Browne.

Stella McCartney.
Stella McCartney.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Photographers and spectators outside Stella McCartney.
Photographers and spectators outside Stella McCartney.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
A close-up look at Stella McCartney.
A close-up look at Stella McCartney.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Actor and film producer Robin Wright on the front row at Stella McCartney.
Actor and film producer Robin Wright on the front row at Stella McCartney.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Model Alex Consani walks the Stella McCartney show.
Model Alex Consani walks the Stella McCartney show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
The pseudonymous DJ HorsegiirL at Stella McCartney
The pseudonymous DJ HorsegiirL at Stella McCartney
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
A look from Yohji Yamamoto's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
A look from Yohji Yamamoto's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Yohji Yamamoto's show took place at its usual venue, the Hôtel de Ville.
Yohji Yamamoto's show took place at its usual venue, the Hôtel de Ville.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Models getting ready backstage at Yohji Yamamoto.
Models getting ready backstage at Yohji Yamamoto.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Looks from the Yohji Yamamoto Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Looks from the Yohji Yamamoto Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
A close-up look at Yohji Yamamoto.
A close-up look at Yohji Yamamoto.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Looks from the Yohji Yamamoto Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Looks from the Yohji Yamamoto Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Models getting ready backstage at Yohji Yamamoto.
Models getting ready backstage at Yohji Yamamoto.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Outside Hermès.
Outside Hermès.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
A guest attending Hermès.
A guest attending Hermès.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Influencer twins Snehal and Jyoti Babani, and other guests, outside Hermès.
Influencer twins Snehal and Jyoti Babani, and other guests, outside Hermès.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Outside Valentino.
Outside Valentino.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Guests including the Thai singer and actor Jeff Satur and Anna Wintour attending Valentino.
Guests including the Thai singer and actor Jeff Satur and Anna Wintour attending Valentino.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Valentino.
Valentino.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
The finale at Valentino.
The finale at Valentino.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Looks from Valentino's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Looks from Valentino's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Photographer Caroline Grant and her sister, the singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey at Valentino.
Photographer Caroline Grant and her sister, the singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey at Valentino.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
A look from Valentino's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
A look from Valentino's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Models getting ready backstage at Thom Browne.
Models getting ready backstage at Thom Browne.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Looks from the Thom Browne Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Looks from the Thom Browne Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
The Spring-Summer 2026 model lineup at Thom Browne.
The Spring-Summer 2026 model lineup at Thom Browne.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Backstage at Thom Browne.
Backstage at Thom Browne.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Singer-songwriter FKA Twigs at Thom Browne.
Singer-songwriter FKA Twigs at Thom Browne.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
A look from Thom Browne's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
A look from Thom Browne's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Models getting ready backstage at Thom Browne.
Models getting ready backstage at Thom Browne.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Backstage beauty at Thom Browne.
Backstage beauty at Thom Browne.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Looks from Thom Browne's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Looks from Thom Browne's Spring-Summer 2026 show.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN
Thom Browne.
Thom Browne.
Cha Gonzalez for CNN