Horns, masks and monster dresses: 8 runway looks to inspire your Halloween costume

Matières Fécales – the otherworldly queen

French fashion house Matières Fécales presented one of the most theatrical collections of Paris Fashion Week.

Designers Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran transformed Place de la République into a runway for their collection, titled "The 99 Percent."

The looks featuring sharp headpieces and metallic fabrics were particularly striking.

One of the most memorable ensembles was a gold dress paired with a sculptural headpiece featuring pointed elements.

A gold dress and pointed headpiece from Matières Fécales (Photo: Getty Images)

This silhouette could inspire a costume fit for an otherworldly queen or a fantastical ruler of darkness.

The key elements are the headpiece's unusual shape, metallic shine, and dramatic makeup.

Schiaparelli – a surrealist sculpture

Schiaparelli creative director Daniel Roseberry continued to experiment with the forms of the human body.

The Paris runway featured dresses and tops with sculptural elements resembling metal armor.

Among them was a black ensemble with an unusually rigid corset that created the effect of futuristic armor.

A sculptural black corset by Schiaparelli (Photo: Getty Images)

For Halloween, this look could be reimagined as a futuristic heroine, a mysterious creature, or a character from a science fiction film.

Dark lipstick, sleek hair, and metallic accessories would add an extra touch of drama.

Rick Owens – a ghost from the future

Rick Owens presented his "Stone" collection in Paris, combining almost angelic silhouettes, industrial materials, and mystical symbols.

Models walked the runway in long, light-colored gowns, voluminous structures, and mirrored mask-like sunglasses.

Some outfits resembled cocoons, while others evoked the wings of fantastical creatures.

A mystical light-colored silhouette with a mirrored mask by Rick Owens (Photo: Getty Images)

This is inspiration for anyone who wants to move beyond a traditional witch or vampire costume. A light-colored outfit, an unusual headpiece, and futuristic eyewear can help create the look of a mysterious ghost from the future.

Alexander McQueen – a demonic beauty

At London Fashion Week, McQueen presented a collection combining Gothic influences, religious imagery, and the aesthetics of British alternative culture.

One of the most memorable details was the models' hairstyles: their hair was sculpted into tall, pointed horns, giving the looks an almost demonic appearance.

A black look with tall silver horns from Alexander McQueen (Photo: Getty Images)

Paired with black dresses, sharply tailored blazers, and metallic jewelry, the hairstyles created the impression of characters from a dark fairy tale.

For a Halloween party, all you need is a black outfit and an unusual hairstyle to make a statement.

Chopova Lowena – witches from Slavic folklore

British fashion label Chopova Lowena turned directly to the supernatural this season.

Designers Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena drew inspiration from figures in Slavic folklore, including Baba Yaga, Kikimora, mermaids, and other mythical creatures.

The runway featured layered skirts, voluminous sleeves, fur details, and unconventional accessories.

The models' makeup and distinctive features also drew attention, including metallic teeth, artificial tears, and pearlescent skin.

This collection is a treasure trove of inspiration for anyone looking to transform into a forest witch, a mermaid, or a mysterious creature from folk legends this Halloween.

Comme des Garçons – a living pumpkin

Rei Kawakubo presented a Comme des Garçons collection in Paris in which the models resembled moving works of art.

One particularly unusual look featured a voluminous denim ensemble. Its rounded shape and pointed cutouts with red details evoked an oversized Halloween pumpkin.

Other looks featured bizarre crowns, artificial hair, and elaborate fabric constructions.

The show could inspire anyone looking to create something more extravagant than a classic costume — a transformation that blurs the line between fashion and contemporary art.

Grace Ling – a fantastical bird

At New York Fashion Week, designer Grace Ling presented her "Oddities" collection, exploring the contrasts between beauty, strength, and danger.

One of the standout looks featured a sculptural metal structure shaped like a bird, paired with a white draped skirt.

The ensemble evoked a fantastical creature with wings and sharp metallic details.

A metallic bird and white skirt by Grace Ling (Photo: Getty Images)

For Halloween, this could serve as inspiration for a mystical bird or a heroine from a fantasy universe.

Silver accessories, a shimmering top, and dramatic makeup could form the basis of the costume.

Diesel – a post-apocalyptic partygoer

Diesel's Milan show marked Glenn Martens' final collection as the brand's creative director.

The designer presented a collection inspired by the atmosphere of late-night parties.

The runway featured distorted silhouettes, distressed details, unusual cutouts, and fabrics designed to look worn and weathered.

Some outfits looked as though their wearers had just survived a wild night out or found themselves in a post-apocalyptic world.

For Halloween, this offers a way to transform your look without an elaborate costume: distressed denim, layered clothing, messy hair, and unconventional makeup can create the appearance of a dystopian character.

This year's runways prove that a Halloween transformation doesn't have to involve copying a recognizable movie character.

Sometimes, an unusual accessory, experimental makeup, or a single striking detail is all it takes to create your own fantastical look.