Paris: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan brought a regal touch to Paris Fashion Week as she walked the runway for L’Oreal Paris’ Le Defile 2026 “Express Your Worth” show on September 28. The actor made a striking appearance in a dramatic black cape gown, deep burgundy hair, bold red lipstick and a bejewelled crown.
The L’Oreal Paris ambassador joined an international line-up of stars at the showcase, including Kendall Jenner, Celine Dion, Eva Longoria, Simone Ashley, Viola Davis and Jane Fonda. However, Aishwarya’s transformation was among the most talked-about moments from the runway, particularly because of her bold new hair colour and theatrical gown.
Aishwarya makes a regal statement in Paris
For the show, Aishwarya wore a cape gown from designer Yara Shoemaker. The look combined a fitted velvet silhouette with a dramatic floor-length cape, creating a distinctly regal appearance as she walked beneath the lights of the Paris venue.
At the centre of the outfit was a figure-skimming black velvet gown with a sculpted bodice. The structured design was created to emphasise the silhouette while incorporating movement through gathered tulle and three-dimensional fringes.
The textured details gave the otherwise dark outfit a sense of movement as Aishwarya walked the runway.
However, it was the sweeping cape that became the defining element of the look.
Draped from her shoulders, the crystal-studded cape featured a galaxy-inspired gradient. The embellishments caught the runway lights as Aishwarya moved, creating a starry visual effect that complemented the theatrical nature of the presentation.
The cape extended well beyond the length of the gown, adding to the dramatic impact of the outfit.
Deep-red hair adds a bold twist
Aishwarya’s hair transformation was another major feature of her appearance.
The actor stepped onto the runway with deep burgundy-red tresses styled in long, loose waves. The hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back, providing a strong contrast against the black gown.
The deep-red shade also complemented her makeup, particularly her bold red lipstick.
For the rest of her beauty look, Aishwarya retained elements of the style she is known for, including defined eyes and a strong lip. The combination of the dark gown, red hair and vivid lipstick created a cohesive colour palette for the runway.
The addition of the crown completed the royal-inspired styling.
The bejewelled headpiece gave the appearance an unmistakably regal finish, making it one of the most distinctive elements of the overall look.
Aishwarya joins global L’Oreal ambassadors
Aishwarya walked alongside several international L’Oreal Paris ambassadors at Le Defile 2026.
The show featured Kendall Jenner, Celine Dion, Eva Longoria, Simone Ashley, Viola Davis and Jane Fonda, among other personalities associated with the beauty brand.
The event was built around the “Express Your Worth” theme and celebrated beauty, individuality, sisterhood and women’s empowerment.
Aishwarya has been associated with L’Oreal Paris for years and has represented the brand at major international events, including previous editions of its Paris runway showcase.
Her appearance this year continued that long-running relationship while giving the actor another opportunity to represent the brand on a global fashion platform.
From Mumbai airport to the Paris runway
Aishwarya’s fashion-week appearance began before she reached the runway.
She was previously spotted at Mumbai airport in a classic beige trench coat while travelling to Paris. The understated travel look contrasted with the highly theatrical outfit she eventually wore for the L’Oreal show.
After arriving in the French capital, Aishwarya was seen at the venue in a sleek black overcoat.
The actor also appeared in several behind-the-scenes videos ahead of the show. In the clips, she was seen interacting with fellow L’Oreal Paris ambassadors as they prepared for their runway appearances.
The BTS moments showed a more relaxed side of the event, with Aishwarya laughing and chatting with other participants before the presentation began.
A starry finale brings the runway alive
The energy of the event reached another level towards the end of the show, with singer Celine Dion’s “I Am Alive” providing part of the musical backdrop.
Dion was among the stars taking part in the L’Oreal presentation, making her interaction with the other ambassadors one of the highlights of the evening.
Aishwarya’s own runway appearance combined the visual elements of the show — dramatic fashion, beauty and performance — into a look built around a clear regal theme.
The galaxy-inspired cape, deep-red hair and bejewelled crown ensured that her appearance was visually distinct even within a runway featuring several major international stars.
Aishwarya’s enduring Paris Fashion Week presence
Aishwarya has maintained a strong connection with international fashion and beauty events throughout her career. Her association with L’Oreal Paris has taken her to some of the world’s most prominent red carpets and fashion showcases.
Her latest appearance at Le Defile 2026 once again placed her among the brand’s global ambassadors while allowing her to experiment with a more dramatic visual style.
The combination of the Yara Shoemaker gown, burgundy hair and crown marked a departure from a more understated runway appearance and leaned fully into the show’s theatrical presentation.
As the Paris event concluded, Aishwarya’s look continued to attract attention through photographs and videos shared from the runway, with the cape and red hair emerging as the defining details of her appearance.