Hot weather, hot fashion looks: Celebrities beat the heat at Paris Couture Week

Cardi B is among the few high-profile guests who remained committed to the art of dramatic dressing, even as a heatwave swept through Paris. Photo: AFP

Paris Couture Week has always been a magnet for fashion’s biggest names, but this season’s front-row spectacle unfolded against an unusually intense backdrop.

As a heatwave swept across the French capital, celebrities arriving at the shows faced a sartorial dilemma – how to dress for some of the year’s most glamorous events while temperatures climbed relentlessly.

The result was a fascinating display of fashion ingenuity, with stars balancing elegance and warm-weather practicality.

Paris menswear fashion week earlier had already unfolded under similarly sweltering conditions, and the heat showed little sign of easing as couture season arrived.

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Vogue even named the portable fan as one of the key accessories for guests, with some fashion houses distributing their own brand-approved models at shows.

Perhaps a more stylish alternative came from songwriter Ejae, who was spotted carrying a simple black folding fan that appeared to complement her outfit.

Others kept their fashion choices more practical, opting for loose and comfortable silhouettes with minimal layering.

Men’s suiting, as seen on Bad Bunny and Hudson Williams, embraced oversized proportions and relaxed tailoring, often worn without a shirt underneath or rendered in lighter colours to better cope with the heat.

For women, exposed shoulders became a common sight – less a deliberate attempt at revealing skin than a practical response to soaring temperatures.

Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, for instance, arrived in a subtle black design that offered an elegant take on the look.

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The sundress, or variations of it, also emerged as a popular choice, offering a graceful yet breathable solution for the season.

Priyanka Chopra embraced the mood with a scalloped gown that appeared to capture the spirit of sun-soaked days.

Lightweight fabrics were also favoured, while shorter hemlines offered a little more freedom and ventilation.

Silk, and variations of the fabric, proved another smart choice for guests seeking to stay cool while maintaining a sense of luxury.

The exception was perhaps rapper Cardi B, who remained committed to fashion spectacle over practicality.

Her sculptural, exceptionally fitted look was among the few truly avant-garde statements seen during a week where most guests prioritised comfort without sacrificing style.