Haute couture is a celebration of craftsmanship – and superiority – as the world's finest fashion houses meet in Paris to compete and showcase new designs.
This also applies to the celebrities and celebrities in the front row who also have something to sell – movies, music, reality TV, cosmetics. This week's season was no exception, with a constellation of stars hitting the runway shows in some seriously eye-catching wares. Here's what – and who – was there.
Jennifer Lopez was everywhere.
Be it at Schiaparelli in a coat made of 7,000 real rose petals and hammered gold sunglasses with sculpted eyebrows and gemstones for glasses, at Valentino in head-to-toe black and diamonds, or at Elie Saab in a deep olive green dress with a cape with purple and green J-Lo has been basking in the spotlight ahead of the release of her new album and accompanying film next month. (If you haven't seen the trailer yet, prepare to be surprised.)
There was a “Euphoria” reunion at Schiaparelli.
Euphoria was the hit series about high school students that shocked America. This week, two of her biggest stars, Hunter Schafer and Zendaya, reunited at the Schiaparelli show. Zendaya also debuted a new hairstyle — baby bangs — that immediately sent the internet into a frenzy.
Rihanna wowed Natalie Portman at Dior.
They may be two of the most famous women in the world, but when they met backstage at the Dior show, Rihanna and Natalie Portman giggled like boisterous new friends in a nightclub bathroom.
“I love you,” Ms. Portman said to the singer, who then gave Ms. Portman a big hug. She added that she doesn't usually get “excited about meeting someone.”
“Are you kidding me? I'm going to faint. I'm going to pass out,” Ms. Portman explained, proving that sometimes you really should meet your heroes.
Hollywood's award contenders took turns at the shows.
We may be in the middle of awards season in Los Angeles, but that hasn't stopped some highly touted talent from taking a trip to Paris. Ali Wong, who excels at wearing eyewear on the red carpet and 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. There were also plenty of celebs floating around without nominations, including Anya Taylor-Joy and Glenn Close. In addition to Gwyneth Paltrow, Ms. Close also visited Armani Privé.
Margaret Qualley opened the Chanel show…
Celebrities typically sit on the edge of the runway at Fashion Week instead of walking on it. But Margaret Qualley was the first model at the Chanel show, wearing an all-white ensemble with a bouclé jacket, layered skirt, tights and a ruff.
… and Kendrick Lamar provided the music.
Ms. Qualley also starred in “The Button,” a short film designed to open the Chanel show with new music by Kendrick Lamar. Mr. Lamar's creative partner Dave Free directed the three-minute clip, which also stars Naomi Campbell. Mr. Lamar, who has not released new solo music since 2022, sat with Ms. Campbell and Mr. Free at the fashion show.
Kylie Jenner arrived at Valentino with her mini-me.
The robot baby on the Schiaparelli runway may have sparked a debate about whether children are acceptable fashion week accessories, but Kylie Jenner isn't paying attention to the crowds. Ms Jenner brought her daughter Stormi, 5, to the Valentino show, where the mother-daughter duo wore matching black feather outfits and sunglasses.
Kris Jenner was there too.
Whenever one of her daughters is in Europe for fashion week, the Kardashian's “mother mother” is sure to follow. Kris Jenner attended the Valentino show with her longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble.
And Rosie Huntington-Whiteley too!
The British supermodel and lingerie and skincare mogul (her lingerie collaboration with Marks & Spencer is a bestseller in the UK) attended Valentino and boldly bared the January elements with a bare midriff and a sequined fishtail skirt.
Noah Cyrus visited Simone Rocha.
Simone Rocha is the latest guest designer to create a couture collection with Atelier Jean Paul Gaultier. Kylie Jenner (pictured above) and Bella Thorne were guests, as was Noah Cyrus in a scarlet silk dress with sheer pink layers that showed off her ever-growing collection of arm tattoos.
Um, Kelly Rutherford was everywhere.
Kelly Rutherford is perhaps best known for playing Serena van der Woodsen's mother in Gossip Girl, which ended 12 years ago. But if there is the will to be a lasting matriarch of quiet luxury, there is 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 glamor in a skirt suit and pretty in pink silk at Simone Rocha for Gaultier. She also seemed to take glamorous elevator selfies every time she left her hotel.