In a bold celebration of Parisian and London girl beauty, Jonathan Anderson's Dior Fall/Winter 2026 runway show in Paris' Tuileries Garden was a spectacle. The event, a sunny and sweaty affair, was attended by VIPs who were offered cold Evian bottles by ushers in standing collar jackets. In the front row, Pharrell and Anna Wintour were seen fanning themselves with their invitations, while Paul Anthony Kelly grooved to the beats of Frédéric Sanchez's soundtrack. The models walked the runway in jeans adorned with sparkling bunting, skirts with glittering hems, and lilypad heels that matched the faux waterlilies in the fountain.
But here's where it gets controversial... The beauty look for the show was inspired by a twist on 'la rencontre,' a French term for casual meetings. Makeup artist Peter Philips, the creative and image director of Christian Dior makeup, explained how Anderson wanted a 'messy leftover makeup look' with a subtle twist. He described it as a Parisian girl's leftover kohl or mascara, a bit messy but very subtle. Charlotte Gainsbourg, the French-British actor and singer, was also an inspiration for the beauty concept, with hair artist Guido Palau envisioning a London girl's messy, Kate Moss-inspired hair. Philips summed it up as 'la rencontre' - a fusion of Parisian and London girl beauty.
Philips prepped the models for this unique look, applying Dior Les Patchs Yeux under their eyes before sending them to Palau's team for low ponytails with side bangs and wispy pieces. Palau described it as a 'cool French girl' look, referencing ease with a touch of style. His low ponies were a trend spotted in Vogue's Milan Trend Report, and he predicts more ponytails to come, with various styles and attitudes.
Nail artist Ama Quashie recreated her clean manicure, inspired by Anderson's request for a simple buff. Philips kept the makeup look relaxed, with no blush, contour, or color on the face. He applied his new skincare-infused Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation, creating a different kind of glow. The eye makeup was slept-in, with a subtle transfer of Diorshow On Stage Crayon in black to the top waterline, giving a natural and light appearance. Philips used Diorshow On Set Brow and Brow Styler to shape natural arches.
As a final touch, Philips applied the Lip Maximizer in Pink to hydrate and create a plumping sensation. He removed any glossy texture to avoid an overly shiny lip, a preference of JW. Philips worked right up until the models stepped onto the runway, ensuring the shine was gone just before their walk.
This unique beauty collaboration between Anderson, Philips, and Palau showcases a fresh and playful interpretation of Parisian and London girl beauty. It's a bold statement that challenges traditional beauty norms and invites discussion. What do you think about this innovative beauty look? Do you agree that it captures the essence of youth and playfulness? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
