Mondo Duplantis and Desiré Inglander take us front row for the star-studed L’Oréal Paris runway show

Dubbed Le Défilé, the L’Oréal Paris runway show, held annually during Paris Fashion Week, has become synonymous with extraordinary locations, a star-studded lineup and, yes, breathtaking beauty. This year’s outing was no exception. Held against the backdrop of the historic Hotel de Ville de Paris, the L’Oréal Paris 2025 show – the iconic beauty house’s eighth outing – found the likes of Cara Delevigne, Helen Mirren and Viola Davis storming the massive reflective runway to the surprise and delight of over 2500 guests.

But the stars were not only on the runway. Sitting front row were the brand’s diverse roster of ambassadors. Among them, Swedish It couple Mondo Duplantis and Desiré Inglander, who wore a high-necked oxblood gown, her hair pulled back in a sleek high ponytail for the occasion. Finishing her look, the Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil in the shade "Worth It". "To me, being worth it, is really about accepting myself," Inglander says. "I've learned that I don't need to chase someone else's idea of success or beauty, because that never last. What matters is building a life that feels true to me, with confidence in my own path." Day to day, that means protecting her energy, staying authentic, and surrounding herself with people and work that lift me up. "Being a part of Le Défilé was a reminder that confidence is about being proud of who you are and showing up as yourself," she adds. "That's what empowerment is to me."

The empowering evening was not reserved for VIPs; to emphasise its desire to democratise beauty, 3000 guests from the public were welcomed to an event at the streets beyond the show to connect with the beauty house’s hair and makeup artists.

This is more than simply a spectacle. The event is a triumphant celebration of beauty in all its forms; a tribute to sisterhood and a declaration of female empowerment. To emphasise this point, the show drew inspiration from the French national motto, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. L’Oréal Paris, an official partner of Paris Fashion Week, took some cheeky liberty of their own, reclaiming the slogan as: Liberty, Equality, Sisterhood, You’re Worth it. Meanwhile, the location, as it turns out, was not chosen simply for its old world grandeur; it was the site of women’s wage-equality protests during the XIXth century.

The show embodied another message: “Walk Your Worth”. Indeed, seeing the diverse cast of charismatic women – ranging age and backgrounds and body types – standing in their power in front of the substantial crowd was palpably invigorating. From Gillian Andersen to Simone Ashley, Eva Longoria to Andie MacDowell, each talent put their own twist on the moment. A call to arms for women to stand in their power and celebrate their beauty.

Given the deeply French ethos of the show, it was only natural for the hair and makeup to reflect the mood of the city. L’Oréal Paris’ newly appointed Global makeup expert Harold James and his team imagined beauty looks that captured the notion of French savoir-faire – that easy confidence that goes beyond aesthetics. Think gently tossed bobs and effortless waves, sleek blowouts and bouncy curls. Faces were fresh – subtle evening looks that emphasise the natural beauty of the talents.

While beauty took centre stage, the fashion was not to be missed. From the very first look – an extraordinary form-hugging velvet archival gown worn by Cindy Bruna – the garments met the moment, complementing the makeup to make each talent shine. Ariana Greenblatt, for instance, looked every bit the boss in a sharply tailored pinstriped suit whilst Heidi Klum stunned in a sleek black gown with a plunging neckline, her signature blonde locks styled in eye-skimming French girl bangs.

A runway show is not complete without music. The show featured two live performances, the first by L’Oréal Paris ambassador Charlotte Cardin (the French Canadian artist is the very embodiment of savoir-faire) and the second by Brazilian artist Annitta.

Experiencing the show, Inglander was reminded that eery person has their own beauty, their own journey, and their own power. "For me, attending Le Défilé was a strong reminder that your worth isn't something you have to prove or earn, it's already there within you," she says. As Kendall Jenner closed out the show in white corseted gown, her hair in easy waves, exuding power in every step one could almost hear the crowd shouting in unison the phrase of a fresh revolution: “Because you’re worth it”.

See all the unmissable runway moments of the 'Le Défilé' L’Oréal Paris runway show below.