Haute couture is a celebration of artisanship — and one-upmanship — as the world’s top fashion houses gather in Paris to compete with one another and show off new designs.
So, too, with the celebrities and socialites on the front row, who also have something to sell — movies, music, reality television, cosmetics. The season this week has been no exception, as a constellation of stars in some seriously flashy wares descended on the runway shows. Here is what — and who — was there.
Jennifer Lopez was everywhere.
Be it at Schiaparelli in a coat made from 7,000 real rose petals and hammered gold sunglasses with sculpted eyebrows and precious stones for lenses, at Valentino in head-to-toe black and diamonds or at Elie Saab in a plunging olive green gown with a cape of purple and green feathers, J-Lo basked in the spotlight ahead of the release of her new album and accompanying movie next month. (If you haven’t yet watched the trailer, prepare to be baffled.)
There was a ‘Euphoria’ reunion at Schiaparelli.
“Euphoria” was the hit series about high schoolers that shocked America. This week two of its biggest stars, Hunter Schafer and Zendaya, reunited at the Schiaparelli show. Zendaya also introduced a new hairdo — baby bangs — which promptly sent the internet into meltdown.
Rihanna fangirled Natalie Portman at Dior.
They may be two of the world’s most high-profile women, but a backstage encounter at the Dior show left Rihanna and Natalie Portman giggling like giddy new girlfriends in a nightclub bathroom.
“I love you,” Ms. Portman told the singer, who responded by calling the actress “one of the hottest b*****s in Hollywood forever,” before giving Ms. Portman a bear hug. She added that she doesn’t usually “get excited about meeting anyone.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m gonna faint. I’m gonna blackout,” Ms. Portman declared, proving that sometimes you really should meet your heroes.
Hollywood’s awards contenders took a turn at the shows.
We may be in the thick of awards season in Los Angeles, but that didn’t stop several highly touted talents from taking a trip to Paris. Ali Wong, who is making a great case for specs on the red carpet, and who won a Golden Globe for “Beef,” was at Dior. Elizabeth Debicki, who won a Golden Globe for her role in “The Crown,” and Da’vine Joy Randolph, who was nominated for an Oscar for “The Holdovers,” were also at the show. Lots of A-listers without nominations were floating around, too, including Anya Taylor-Joy and Glenn Close. Ms. Close also attended Armani Privé alongside Gwyneth Paltrow.
Margaret Qualley opened the Chanel show …
Celebrities usually sit on the edge of the runway at fashion week rather than walk on it. But Margaret Qualley was the first model out at the Chanel show, wearing an all-white ensemble with a bouclé jacket, layered skirt, tights and a neck ruff.
… and Kendrick Lamar provided the music.
Ms. Qualley also starred in “The Button,” a short film designed as a curtain raiser for the Chanel show with new music by Kendrick Lamar. Mr. Lamar’s creative partner Dave Free directed the three-minute clip that also stars Naomi Campbell. Mr. Lamar, who hasn’t released new solo music since 2022, sat with Ms. Campbell and Mr. Free for the runway show.
Kylie Jenner came to Valentino with her mini-me.
The robot baby on the runway at Schiaparelli may have sparked debate as to whether children are acceptable fashion week accessories, but Kylie Jenner takes no heed of the masses. Ms. Jenner brought her daughter Stormi, 5, to the Valentino show, where the mother-daughter duo wore coordinating black feather outfits and sunglasses.
Kris Jenner was there, too.
Whenever one of her daughters is in Europe for a fashion week, the Kardashian’s “momager-in-chief” is sure to follow. Kris Jenner was at the Valentino show with her longtime beau Corey Gamble.
And so was Rosie Huntington-Whiteley!
The British supermodel and underwear and skin-care mogul (her lingerie collaboration with Marks & Spencer is a best seller in Britain) attended Valentino, bravely baring the January elements with a bare tummy and sequined fishtail skirt.
Noah Cyrus came to see Simone Rocha.
Simone Rocha is the latest guest designer to create a couture collection with the Jean Paul Gaultier atelier. Kylie Jenner (see above) and Bella Thorne were guests, as was Noah Cyrus, in a silken scarlet dress with sheer pink layering that showed off her ever-expanding collection of arm tattoos.
Er, Kelly Rutherford was everywhere.
Kelly Rutherford may be best known for playing Serena van der Woodsen’s mom on “Gossip Girl,” which ended 12 years ago. But when there is a will to be an enduring matriarch of quiet luxury, there’s a way. And Ms. Rutherford, who has a very stylish Instagram account, was probably the actress with the busiest schedule at couture week. There she was at Dior, a vision of old school glamour in a skirt suit, and pretty in pink silk at Simone Rocha for Gaultier. She also appeared to snap glamorous elevator selfies every time she left her hotel.