Paris and Zurich were abuzz with high fashion and star power this week, as two major events drew some of the world’s most celebrated actresses to their respective red carpets. On October 3, 2025, the Dior Spring 2026 show in Paris delivered a fresh vision under Jonathan Anderson’s creative direction, while Claire Foy made headlines in Zurich as she promoted her new film, H Is For Hawk, at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival. Across both cities, the interplay of style, persona, and the evolving language of couture was on full display—sometimes dazzling, sometimes divisive, but always compelling.
Jonathan Anderson’s much-anticipated debut at Dior did not disappoint in terms of spectacle or celebrity turnout. The front row was a who’s who of Dior ambassadors and Hollywood’s elite, each bringing their own distinct flair to the event—and, in some cases, previewing the very looks that might soon grace future red carpets. According to Red Carpet Fashion Awards, Anderson’s collection was a "love letter to red carpet storytelling," and the stars in attendance seemed eager to translate that narrative into their own sartorial statements.
Perhaps no one embodied this spirit more than Anya Taylor-Joy. Already a favorite of the house, Taylor-Joy had previewed one of Anderson’s basket weave dresses at the premiere of Sacrifice during the Toronto Film Festival in September. For the Dior show itself, she opted for a caped look originally introduced in the Spring 2026 menswear collection, which later found its way into the women’s line. As Red Carpet Fashion Awards put it, "Anya can make any iteration of Dior feel cinematic, so expect her to thrive in this new chapter." With her magnetic presence and penchant for drama, Taylor-Joy seemed tailor-made for Anderson’s vision.
Not every star, however, found sartorial success at the event. Mikey Madison, making her Dior ambassador debut, wore a pale white-and-pink ensemble that should have been a highlight. Unfortunately, the look was weighed down by a black jacket and black shoes—a styling choice that, as Red Carpet Fashion Awards critiqued, "sucked the life out of the look, making it feel mismatched rather than cohesive." The disappointment was palpable: "I’m really disappointed as I was excited for the debut of Jonathan’s first Dior ambassador," the review continued. It was a reminder that even the most luminous pieces can falter with a misstep in styling.
Charlize Theron, meanwhile, brought her trademark rebellious edge to the Dior front row. Sporting a leather jacket paired with khaki shorts, Theron’s look was a seamless extension of her affinity for edgier houses like Givenchy and McQueen. The ensemble served as a "perfect entry point for her into Anderson’s Dior," according to Red Carpet Fashion Awards, and hinted at intriguing possibilities for how the brand might evolve to suit her bold persona. With her history of pushing fashion boundaries, Theron’s partnership with Dior under Anderson’s direction promises to be one to watch.
Jennifer Lawrence also made a notable appearance, her outfit exuding what Red Carpet Fashion Awards described as "Upper East Side errands in autumn" energy. The look fit her effortlessly down-to-earth persona, but there’s speculation that Lawrence will soon receive more custom pieces from Dior, given that the runway offerings may not fully align with her personal style. It’s a testament to her unique presence—one that often calls for bespoke solutions rather than off-the-rack statements.
Other ambassadors added their own twists to the Dior narrative. Anna Sawai’s Spring 2026 ensemble evoked a "haute couture twist on the school-uniform archetype," with crisp shirting, a sculptural skirt, and a vibrant punch of yellow. The verdict from Red Carpet Fashion Awards was succinct: "J’Adore." Monica Barbaro, for her part, brought a playful yet polished vibe with a cropped pink knit and grey skirt, topped off by a Dior Bow bag. The look captured what the outlet called a "Parisian schoolgirl grown up" aesthetic, though there was one minor regret: "I only wish a pink shoe had finished the story." Even in the world of high fashion, it’s the small details that can make or break a look.
While Paris was celebrating the intersection of tradition and reinvention at Dior, Zurich offered a different kind of fashion moment. Claire Foy, in town to promote H Is For Hawk at the Zurich Film Festival, stepped onto the red carpet in a Maison Margiela suit styled by Jonathan Huguet. Foy has long been known for her understated glamour and preference for tailoring, but this particular outing drew mixed reviews. The double-breasted suit—oversized in both jacket and trousers—missed the mark, lacking the "intentional deconstruction Margiela is celebrated for," as Red Carpet Fashion Awards observed. Instead, the suit appeared simply too big, with the "jacket hanging wide across her shoulders, while the equally loose trousers compounded the volume, leaving the silhouette heavy and without balance."
Margiela’s tailoring is typically praised for its "clever twists and architectural edge," but in this case, the effect was one of imbalance. As the review noted, "the suit wore her, rather than Claire commanding the look." Even the addition of De Beers jewels—always a reliable touch of elegance—could not rescue a silhouette that felt "more swampy than sleek." For Foy, who has often mastered the art of modern tailoring, it was an unfortunate stumble. Yet, as anyone who follows red carpet fashion knows, even the best-dressed stars can have an off day, and it’s the risks and occasional misfires that keep the conversation interesting.
What do these moments from Paris and Zurich tell us about the current state of celebrity fashion? For one, the relationship between star power and couture remains as vital as ever. Designers like Jonathan Anderson are acutely aware that their collections live on through the personalities who wear them—whether it’s Anya Taylor-Joy transforming a runway piece into a cinematic event or Charlize Theron injecting a rebellious streak into the heart of Dior. At the same time, the perils of styling are never far away, as seen with Mikey Madison’s mismatched ensemble and Claire Foy’s ill-fitting suit. Even the most celebrated names can falter when the elements don’t quite align.
Yet, it’s precisely this unpredictability—the interplay of vision, personality, and execution—that makes fashion such a compelling spectacle. As the Spring 2026 season unfolds, all eyes will be on how these stars and designers continue to shape the narrative, one look at a time.