Céline Dion delivers surprise performance to launch Paris Fashion Week
The singer appeared at the end of L'Oreal's annual show as the French fashion bonanza kicked off.
Source: BBC Entertainment and Arts · September 30, 2026 at 4:06 AM · AI-assisted report
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NEW YORK, 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Celine Dion opened Paris Fashion Week with a surprise performance of her 2002 hit "I'm Alive," singing beneath the Eiffel Tower at the conclusion of L'Oreal's annual show.
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The Canadian star, who was diagnosed with the rare neurological condition stiff person syndrome in 2022, took to the runway to mark the start of the French fashion bonanza.
Her appearance served as the headline moment for the event, which showcases women's spring and summer collections and runs until 6 October.
The performance marked a significant moment for Dion, who recently staged a comeback show in Paris earlier this month. That concert was her first since a 2020 performance in New Jersey, which had been the last show before the global pandemic cut her tour short.
By returning to the stage in the French capital, Dion re-entered the spotlight at the heart of the global fashion calendar, linking her musical resurgence with the industry's most prestigious annual gathering.
Dion wore a ruched, full-length velvet black gown for the performance. She was later joined on the runway by several high-profile ambassadors for the French brand L'Oreal. The group included actresses Viola Davis, Simone Ashley, Aja Naomi King, and Eva Longoria. Viola Davis was noted for feeling the love from the crowd as she joined Dion under the stars in the French capital.
The presence of these global stars underscored the brand's strategy of aligning its fashion presentation with major celebrity endorsements.
The L'Oreal show featured a lineup of models and celebrities who added to the spectacle of the opening night. Kendall Jenner modelled a sheer black halterneck dress with a thigh split, worn over an ivory corset. Supermodel Cara Delevingne walked the runway in a sparkling red sheer dress with a train.
These appearances highlighted the blend of high fashion and celebrity culture that defines the event, with each outfit designed to capture media attention and reinforce the brand's aesthetic direction.
Beyond the L'Oreal show, the first day of Paris Fashion Week saw other major figures in the entertainment and fashion industries attending various events. Pop star Rihanna attended the Matières Fécales fashion show, wearing a shimmering, glamorous copper two-piece over sheer black lingerie. The Matières Fécales label is known for its work with Zendaya, who wore the brand's angel wings dress at the premiere of The Odyssey in New York this summer.
Rihanna's presence on the front row signaled the continued intersection of music and fashion in the industry's top tier.
Actress Cynthia Erivo, known for her role in Wicked, was also present in the French capital. She attended an event hosted by Tiffany and M.A.D, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. This event highlighted the broader cultural programming accompanying the fashion week, which often includes collaborations between luxury brands and cultural institutions. The attendance of Erivo and other celebrities demonstrated the event's reach beyond just fashion designers and buyers, extending into the wider entertainment sector.
The upcoming week in Paris will feature shows from a roster of major luxury houses, including Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balenciaga, and Loewe. However, the fashion world is keeping a particularly close eye on two specific brands: Dior and Chanel. Both houses signed up new artistic directors last year, marking a significant shift in their creative leadership. This change has generated substantial interest among industry observers and consumers alike.
Matthieu Blazy took over as Chanel's creative director in early 2025, while Jonathan Anderson began the same role at Dior last summer. This week is expected to see both designers continue to solidify their strategies for their respective brands. The simultaneous debut of new creative visions at two of the most historic and influential fashion houses is anticipated to create a dynamic of aesthetic rivalry on the runways.
As the week progresses, the focus will remain on how these new leaders interpret the heritage of their brands while pushing forward with contemporary designs.