Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Pairs Burgundy Hair With Crystal-Studded Cape at Paris Fashion Week
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan brought a striking contrast to the runway at Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2026: burgundy-red hair against an almost entirely black outfit. Walking in L’Oréal Paris’ Le Défilé at Place Joffre, she wore a velvet gown and a long, crystal-studded cape that caught the light as she moved.
The outdoor show took place near the Eiffel Tower and brought together L’Oréal Paris ambassadors from film, fashion and entertainment. For Rai Bachchan, the occasion called for a look built around silhouette and sparkle rather than bright clothing. Her red hair and lipstick supplied the color; the cape supplied the drama.
Velvet, crystals and a jeweled crown
Rai Bachchan’s gown was a Yara Shoemaker design from the label’s Fall/Winter 2026–27 couture collection. Its fitted black velvet shape was paired with textured detailing, while the floor-length cape extended the outline well beyond the dress itself. Crystals scattered across the dark fabric created a glimmering effect under the runway lights. A jeweled crown completed the regal styling.
The outfit offered different details depending on the view. From a distance, the cape made the look feel expansive and theatrical. Closer up, the embellishment and texture gave the black ensemble depth. As Rai Bachchan walked, the cape moved behind her, making it more than a static accessory.
Her hair was equally prominent. Worn in long, loose waves, its deep burgundy tone stood out against the velvet and gave the look a vivid edge without changing its dark palette. Defined eye makeup and a bold red lip carried through the beauty styling. The overall effect was unmistakably elaborate, from the crown at the top to the sweeping hem below.
A runway moment that traveled online
Le Défilé’s 2026 edition was presented under the theme “Express Your Worth.” Rai Bachchan joined a lineup that included Simone Ashley, Viola Davis, Jane Fonda, Kendall Jenner and Eva Longoria. The event was designed for viewers beyond the seats at Place Joffre, with L’Oréal Paris making the show available to audiences online.
Images and clips of Rai Bachchan’s appearance prompted an immediate response from fans. Many social media commenters praised her poised walk and embraced the crown and cape as part of the look’s royal mood. Some singled out the red hair as its strongest element, while others celebrated the sight of the Indian actor on a major international runway.
The online reaction was not unanimous. In fashion discussion threads, some commenters said the cape and dark gown felt familiar from her previous appearances, even as they praised her presence. Others liked the hair but would have preferred simpler styling around it. Those comments reflect individual viewers’ opinions, rather than a verdict on how the audience at the show responded.
There were warmer moments beyond the solo walk, too. Clips from the event showed Rai Bachchan sharing an affectionate interaction with Céline Dion as the participants came together. But the fashion image most closely associated with her appearance remained the same: red waves, black velvet and a cape sparkling beneath the Paris lights.
It was a look designed to be seen at runway scale. The crown gave it an immediate focal point, the hair made it recognizable in close-up images, and the cape provided movement for video. Whether viewers favored the full theatrical treatment or wished for a more restrained outfit, Rai Bachchan’s Le Défilé appearance gave them plenty to discuss.
