Aishwarya Rai Bachchan brought a dramatic new look to Paris Fashion Week, combining old-world glamour with a striking beauty transformation. The actor walked the runway at L’Oréal Paris’ Le Défilé on September 28, appearing alongside international names including Kendall Jenner, Simone Ashley, Celine Dion, Eva Longoria, Viola Davis and Jane Fonda.
Held at Place Joffre against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, the ninth edition of Le Défilé centred on the theme “Walk Your Worth”, celebrating confidence, diversity and female solidarity. Aishwarya, who has been a longtime L’Oréal Paris ambassador, was among the familiar faces representing the beauty brand on the global runway.
This time, however, it was not just the runway appearance that caught attention. Aishwarya arrived with a noticeably different beauty look, replacing her familiar hair colour with rich burgundy-red locks. Styled in soft waves with a side parting, the fiery shade became one of the most talked-about elements of her Paris Fashion Week appearance.
The new hair colour worked particularly well with her dramatic black couture outfit. Aishwarya wore a custom creation from Syrian designer Yara Shoemaker, featuring a two-piece black velvet gown with sculptural detailing, 3D fringe embroidery and a crystal-embellished cape. The outfit came from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2026-27 couture collection.
The look was completed with a jewel-encrusted crown, diamond accessories and pumps. Her makeup stayed equally bold, with a defined eye, glowing skin and a deep red lip that echoed the new burgundy tones in her hair. The combination gave the outfit a distinctly regal finish without moving too far from Aishwarya’s signature elegance.
Her runway appearance also delivered several memorable moments beyond the fashion itself. Aishwarya shared the stage with Kendall Jenner and Simone Ashley, while a candid interaction with Celine Dion quickly became a highlight from the event. The two were seen holding hands, hugging and sharing a playful moment on stage.
Aishwarya also shared a warm reunion with Simone Ashley, with the two greeting each other affectionately before appearing together during the final runway walk. Their interaction added a relaxed, personal moment to an otherwise highly styled evening.
While the gown brought the couture drama, it was Aishwarya’s hair transformation that gave the look a contemporary edge. Burgundy hair has been gaining attention as a rich alternative to classic brunette and black shades, and her version leaned towards a brighter reddish-burgundy tone. Beauty coverage around the appearance has highlighted several related red shades that can complement Indian skin tones, including deeper wine and cherry-inspired variations.
The colour also gave her black velvet outfit a sharp contrast. Instead of letting the elaborate cape and crystal detailing dominate the look, the red hair became another visual element, tying together the gown, makeup and accessories.
Aishwarya’s Paris appearance comes after years of association with major international fashion and beauty events. Her presence at Cannes and Paris Fashion Week has kept her firmly connected to the global fashion circuit, even as she has remained away from the big screen since Ponniyin Selvan: II, released in 2023.
At Le Défilé, the focus was firmly on fashion, beauty and confidence. Aishwarya’s latest appearance added another chapter to that journey, this time with black velvet, sparkling crystals and a bold new shade of red.
And in Paris, that combination proved difficult to miss.
