L'Oréal Paris brought together models, actresses, athletes and entertainers from different generations for its 2026 Le Défilé runway show in Paris, with Kendall Jenner and Jane Fonda among the high-profile women taking part.
The annual L'Oréal Paris show took place on Monday, 28 September, at Place Joffre, with the Eiffel Tower providing the backdrop. The 2026 event was presented under the theme 'Express Your Worth', continuing the beauty brand's long-running focus on self-worth and female empowerment.
A Celebration of Beauties
Jenner led the show in a sheer black floor-length dress featuring a high neckline and a dramatic thigh-high slit. Ivory lingerie was visible beneath the transparent fabric, while black stiletto sandals completed the look.
Her appearance marked another Paris Fashion Week collaboration with L'Oréal Paris. The model is among the brand's global ambassadors and has appeared in its annual runway presentation. In 2025, Jenner closed the show in a sheer white gown, while her earlier appearances included the 2023 edition.
However, the 2026 event was not built around younger models alone. Fonda, 88, walked alongside Jenner and other internationally recognised figures, including Viola Davis, Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria, Cara Delevingne, Simone Ashley, Aja Naomi King and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu.
The official L'Oréal Paris line-up also included Aishwarya Rai, Bebe Vio, Marie Bochet, Luma Grothe and Kristen Bell, who joined the brand as an ambassador this year. The casting brought together women from acting, modelling and sport while spanning several generations.
Fonda's presence was particularly significant in the context of the show's broad age range. The actress and activist has maintained a long association with L'Oréal Paris, while MacDowell has also been an established face of the brand. Their inclusion alongside younger ambassadors such as Jenner and Ashley allowed the runway to present beauty across different stages of life rather than focusing on youth.
Ambassador Network
The concept follows L'Oréal Paris' established approach to Le Défilé, which combines fashion with the beauty brand's ambassador network. The company launched the annual Paris runway event in 2017, and the 2026 edition marked its ninth presentation. According to L'Oréal Paris, the show is intended to celebrate sisterhood while showcasing the work of its beauty and hair teams.
The event also included athletes. Paralympic athlete Bebe Vio and skier Marie Bochet were among those listed in the official cast, reinforcing the brand's effort to extend the runway beyond traditional fashion models and film personalities.
Performance By Celine Dion
Céline Dion provided one of the evening's biggest moments when she appeared at the end of the show to perform 'I'm Alive'. Reuters reported that Dion's appearance was a surprise, bringing the presentation to a close in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Dion's appearance also had a direct connection to L'Oréal Paris. The singer is associated with the brand and is currently performing a Paris residency, making her participation part of the company's wider relationship with the musician.
The 2026 show combined several of L'Oréal Paris' established strategies: celebrity ambassadors, fashion-week visibility, beauty demonstrations and a deliberately broad cast. Rather than separating established stars from younger faces, the runway placed them within the same presentation. Jenner's high-fashion appearance sat alongside Fonda's return to the catwalk, while actors, athletes and models shared the same stage.
The result was a Paris Fashion Week event centred on L'Oréal Paris' longstanding 'Because You're Worth It' message, with the 2026 edition using its cross-generational cast to put different forms of beauty and representation at the centre of the runway.
