Paris is the undisputed capital of fashion, and nowhere is this more evident than during the Haute Couture Week, which showcases the industry’s most elite and decadent creations. Haute couture, which literally means “high sewing” in French, is the art of making custom-made garments by hand, using the finest fabrics, embellishments, and techniques. Only a handful of fashion houses are officially recognized as haute couture by the French Ministry of Industry, and they have to follow strict rules and standards to maintain their status.
Haute couture is not for the faint of heart, or the light of wallet. These garments are not meant to be mass-produced or sold off the rack. They are one-of-a-kind pieces that can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and are only accessible to a select few clients, mostly celebrities, royals, and billionaires. Haute couture is the ultimate expression of fashion as art, as fantasy, as spectacle.
This year, the Haute Couture Week took place from January 22 to 25, and featured 29 invited fashion houses, including established names like Chanel, Dior, and Valentino, as well as newcomers like Pyer Moss, Aganovich, and Area. The shows were held in various venues across the city, from historic palaces and museums to modern theaters and studios. Some shows were also live-streamed or presented digitally, to reach a wider audience and adapt to the pandemic restrictions.
The shows were attended by a star-studded crowd of celebrities, editors, and influencers, who dazzled with their own sartorial choices. Here are some of the best dressed stars at the Haute Couture Week 2024, and what they wore.
Zendaya
The actress and singer, who is also the face of Lancôme, stole the show at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show on January 22. She wore an all-black gown with knot-embellished sleeves and a ruched ponytail-esque train, designed by Daniel Roseberry. She completed the look with razor-sharp micro bangs, a red lip, and a pair of earrings that resembled human ears.
Jennifer Lopez
The pop icon and actress, who recently announced her engagement to Ben Affleck, made a statement at the same show, wearing a white coat with petal-like appliqués, also by Roseberry. She accessorized with a pair of gold glasses that mimicked eyebrows, and chunky gold jewelry, including a ring that spelled out “LOVE”.
Rihanna
The singer and entrepreneur, who is also the founder of Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty, showed her support for her friend and collaborator Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative director of Dior, at the Dior Haute Couture show on January 22. She wore a black brocade puffer jacket with a cinched waist, paired with white pointed heels and a black beret. She also carried a black Dior book tote with her name embroidered on it.
Anya Taylor-Joy
The actress, who rose to fame with her role in The Queen’s Gambit, was a vision in red at the same show. She wore a full-length crimson lace dress with a high neck and long sleeves, designed by Chiuri. She contrasted the feminine and delicate dress with a pair of black combat boots, and added some sparkle with a diamond necklace and earrings.
Natalie Portman
The Oscar-winning actress and activist, who is also a longtime ambassador for Dior, was elegant and chic at the same show. She wore a black wool coat with a belt and a white collar, over a black tulle skirt and a white shirt. She finished the look with black pumps, a black Dior saddle bag, and a pair of sunglasses.
Bella Thorne
The actress and singer, who is also known for her controversial social media presence, turned heads at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show on January 22. She wore a black leather corset with a plunging neckline and a gold zipper, over a sheer black skirt with a thigh-high slit. She added some edge with a pair of black leather gloves, a black choker, and a black hat.
Hunter Schafer
The actress and model, who is also Zendaya’s co-star in Euphoria, was another standout at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show on January 22. She wore a black leather dress with a cut-out bodice and a ruffled skirt, also by Roseberry. She complemented the dress with a pair of black platform boots, a black leather belt, and a black leather bag.
Sonam Kapoor
The Bollywood star and fashion icon, who is also the daughter of actor Anil Kapoor, was radiant at the Dior Haute Couture show on January 22. She wore a beige tulle dress with floral embroidery and a sheer overlay, designed by Chiuri. She matched the dress with a beige Dior book tote with her name on it, and a pair of beige heels. She also wore a pair of earrings and a ring from the Dior Rose des Vents collection, inspired by Christian Dior’s lucky star.
Elizabeth Debicki
The actress, who is set to play Princess Diana in the upcoming seasons of The Crown, was sophisticated and stylish at the Dior Haute Couture show on January 22. She wore a black wool coat with a belt and a white collar, over a black tulle skirt and a white shirt, similar to Portman’s outfit. She accessorized with a black Dior saddle bag, a pair of black boots, and a pair of sunglasses.
Ali Wong
The comedian and actress, who is also the author of the memoir Dear Girls, was fun and fabulous at the Dior Haute Couture show on January 22. She wore a black and white polka dot dress with a ruffled hem and a bow at the neck, designed by Chiuri. She added some color with a pair of red heels, a red Dior book tote, and a red lip.
These are just some of the celebrities who graced the Haute Couture Week 2024 with their presence and style. They proved that haute couture is not only a form of art, but also a form of self-expression, and a way to celebrate the beauty and diversity of fashion.
