Aishwarya Rai, Kendall Jenner amongst other celebrities light up L’Oréal Paris Le Défilé

Fashion

On the evening of September 28, with the Eiffel Tower glittering behind the École Militaire, the historic Place Joffre in Paris became an open-air runway for L’Oréal Paris and the ninth Le Défilé the brand has staged since 2017, this year titled Express Your Worth and held as the opening spectacle of the Spring/Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week calendar. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kendall Jenner drew the most attention among a line-up that gathered screen legends, champion athletes and style icons, all of whom walked shoulder to shoulder in a show that L’Oréal Paris, as Official Partner of Paris Fashion Week, opened to the public and streamed to audiences well beyond the front row.

Jenner led the procession in a floor-length sheer black gown with a high neckline, a thigh-high slit and ivory lingerie visible beneath the fabric, finished with sleek black stiletto sandals, arriving in Paris after walking for Bottega Veneta in Milan. Rai Bachchan, meanwhile, delivered one of the evening’s most dramatic looks in a custom black Yara Shoemaker creation styled by Mohit Rai, a two-piece velvet gown with 3D fringe embroidery that swayed with every step and a crystal-embellished cape that blended old-world glamour with a modern architectural line, worn with a diamond-encrusted crown, rings and pumps, while her newly dyed fiery red hair, winged liner and bold red lip completed the statement.

Jane Fonda, who is 88, drew some of the loudest reactions of the night in a floor-length red sequin gown with a twist-front neckline and a small keyhole detail, and Heidi Klum walked in a plunging sequined black wrap-style gown, while Simone Ashley wore a sleek nude gown with thin straps, a side slit and metallic heels, her hair styled in soft, voluminous waves. Eva Longoria brought power dressing to the catwalk in a black jumpsuit with a dramatic plunging neckline, a cinched satin waist and relaxed wide-leg trousers, paired with a chunky metallic choker and open-toe heels, and Cara Delevingne added a rockstar edge in a semi-sheer red gown with a dramatic cape, next to Andie MacDowell, who chose an elegant floor-length white gown with metallic cuffs.

The show also marked the runway debut of Kristen Bell, who was named a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris in August and wore a black strapless jumpsuit with a sculpted bodice cut-out and strappy heels. Viola Davis, Aja Naomi King, Marie Bochet, Luma Grothe and Beatrice Vio, who competes as Bebe Vio Grandis, walked alongside her, and they were joined by Iris Berben, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Lindsey Vonn, Precious Lee, Anitta, Amy Jackson Westwick and a number of international ambassadors and top talents who carried the message of empowered beauty and sisterhood across the runway.

Behind the scenes, global make-up artist Harold James and his team worked with hair expert Stéphane Lancien and his team to create the looks that set the season’s beauty and hair inspiration, and the show once again reflected the brand’s long-running Because You’re Worth It message by bringing together women of different generations, cultures and backgrounds on one stage.

The finale came as a surprise to the audience when Celine Dion, a former L’Oréal Paris ambassador who is currently in Paris for her concert residency, appeared to perform her 2002 hit I’m Alive as the evening drew to a close, with the brand also serving as the beauty partner for the residency, which runs through May 2027. With the Eiffel Tower sparkling overhead, the night confirmed once more why Le Défilé has become one of the most star-packed stops on the Paris Fashion Week calendar.

– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram

Images: Supplied