Hollywood stars braved the rain to open Paris Fashion Week on Monday, participating in L’Oréal’s large outdoor show. The event took place in front of the stunning Opera Garnier, where rumors circulated about changes at top French fashion brands.
L’Oréal enlisted celebrities like Jane Fonda, Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria, and Turkish actress Pınar Deniz to walk in the spectacular public show. The cosmetics giant aimed to make fashion week more accessible, inviting the public to experience the glamour typically reserved for the fashion elite.
The “Walk Your Worth” show, introduced by singer Celine Dion, featured a diverse lineup, including Andie MacDowell, Indian star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, models with prosthetic limbs, and Brazilian supermodel Luma Grothe, who showcased her baby bump.
Delphine Viguier, L’Oréal’s Paris director-general, explained that the goal was to let the public see the beautiful clothes and settings they would not normally access.
Despite the weather challenges, the young fashion scene kicked off the nine-day event with French designer Victor Weinsanto staging his spring-summer collection on the rainy roof of the Pompidou Centre. His designs, featuring fishnet and mesh pieces inspired by Croatian drag queen Le Filip, faced tough conditions.
The fashion week began amid declining profits at luxury brands LVMH and Kering, sparking discussions about leadership changes among top designers. Names like Hedi Slimane and Simon Porte Jacquemus are speculated to take over Karl Lagerfeld’s position at Chanel after Virginie Viard’s recent departure.
Speculation also surrounds John Galliano as his contract with Maison Margiela approaches its end.
Upcoming shows from major French houses like Dior and Saint Laurent are set for Tuesday, reinforcing Paris’s prominence over Milan, New York, and London. Chanel will conclude the event on October 1, returning to the Grand Palais after four years. The house is investing 30 million euros ($33 million) to host shows at this historic venue, refurbished for the Paris Olympics.
With Viard gone, many expect Chanel’s upcoming collection to draw inspiration from its classic designs. In contrast, fireworks are anticipated from Alessandro Michele as he debuts for Valentino.
The French duo Coperni will stage their show at Disneyland Paris on the final night, promising an after-party that will continue into the early hours. Their recent success with Belgian singer Angèle at the Olympics closing ceremony reflects their celebratory mood.
Meanwhile, the Olsen twins continue to make their mark with their luxury line, The Row, thanks to support from Chanel and L’Oréal. However, Paris Fashion Week will proceed without Givenchy, as Sarah Burton, recently appointed as creative director, is just starting her role after 25 years at Alexander McQueen.
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