Paris Haute Couture Week 2026: Dior references Lynda Benglis as Schiaparelli embraces siliconeBad Bunny, Michelle Yeoh and Emma Corrin were among the stars spotted at Schiaparelli, while Dior’s bridal piece had fans speculating about Taylor Swift’s wedding dressThe heatwave that gripped Europe during men’s fashion week last month – when some brands had to reschedule their shows due to the unbearable weather – has been the talk of the town in Paris, which is still sizzling.The fall/winter 2026-27 haute couture shows kicked off on Monday amid soaring temperatures and World Cup fever. (Just before the start of haute couture week, France beat Paraguay, advancing to the quarter-finals.)Dior created a forest within the gardens of the Musée Rodin in Paris. Photo: ReutersHaute couture is the pinnacle of fashion: exquisite, made-to-measure creations that only a privileged few can afford. Created in Parisian ateliers by a handful of houses – including Chanel, Dior and Balenciaga – haute couture collections also play an important role in those fashion brands’ marketing strategies, creating buzz and excitement for aspirational customers who gravitate towards entry-level pieces such as leather goods and shoes.Here is all you need to know about the two top shows of day one: Dior and Schiaparelli.Bad Bunny at the Schiaparelli show. Photo: AFPHeld at the Petit Palais – one of Paris’ most beautiful examples of Beaux-Arts architecture – and attended by celebrities including Bad Bunny, Michelle Yeoh and Emma Corrin, the Schiaparelli fall/winter 2026-27 show was a celebration of modern craft.Creative director Daniel Roseberry shaped materials such as silicone and latex into corsets, skirts and jackets, giving them the lightness of fabrics.Schiaparelli is famously a red-carpet darling – the label’s black gowns embellished with gold details have become instantly recognisable – but over the years Roseberry has evolved that signature look, experimenting with new materials and techniques.Materials such as silicone dominated the Schiaparelli collection. Photo: Handout