Celine Dion, Aishwarya Rai, Simone Ashley, Eva Longoria, Cara Delevingne and other officials during a public show called ‘Express Your Worth,’ organized by L’Oréal at Place Joffre on Monday during Paris Fashion Week.Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters
If there’s one woman who can eclipse the bright lights of Paris Fashion Week, it’s Canada’s own Celine Dion.
The Quebec diva is at the outset of an Odyssean comeback residency in Paris after a six-year hiatus because of health complications. And she’s clearly enjoying a fashion moment, sashaying in and out of hotels and performing sold-out gigs at the Plenitude Arena dressed in Alaïa, Dior, Givenchy, Jacquemus and Schiaparelli.
On Sept. 28, the songstress also made a surprise appearance at the L’Oréal Paris fashion week extravaganza, where she performed I’m Alive in front of the Eiffel Tower.
A model carried two life-size figures, one sporting a familiar blond comb-over, on her shoulders during the Matières Fécales show in Paris.Filippo Fior/Supplied
Two other Canadians, Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran, had a major PFW moment as well. The LaSalle College alumni behind Matières Fécales unveiled their spring/summer 2027 collection at the iconic Place de la République, a site that has historically hosted public protests. The pair said on Instagram that Matières Fécales is the first-ever brand to organize a fashion show in the square.
While last season’s politically charged show, titled The One Percent, referenced the elite minority that rules the world, this one was a tribute to everyone else. A model dressed in gold carried two life-size figures, one sporting a familiar blond comb-over, on her shoulders.
More pointedly, this collection was about Bhaskaran and his experience growing up racialized and in poverty (he is of Indo-Guyanese and Sri Lankan descent). As he explained in the show’s press release: “I am part of the 99 per cent, and the visual world I’ve created with my partner Hannah is our manifesto of liberty.”
A pregnant model draped in white during the show.Filippo Fior/Supplied
A total of 99 models of various ethnicities, genders, shapes and sizes circled the soaring bronze and granite monument at the centre of the square. The result was a motley love-in that reunited the brand’s family of outcasts, which this time included Bhaskaran’s mother, sister and niece, all draped in angelic white.
Custom curved heels, made as part of a collaboration between Christian Louboutin and Matières Fécales, returned to the runway, this time with a new strappy flip-flop version. Standout looks showcased the couple’s creativity in haute couture: pieces featuring the label’s signature bold-shoulder silhouette, Indian saris reimagined as ball gowns, animal-inspired feather bodices and wrap-dresses with babies in tow, including an opening look worn by a pregnant model.
Before the show, we spoke to fans of the brand about why they’re drawn to Matières Fécales:
Coco KleinPatricia Gajo/The Globe and Mail
Name: Coco Klein
Age: 32
Profession: Artist
Hometown: Toronto, currently based in Berlin
What do you like about Matières Fécales?
I think they embody everything that a heteronormative society denies us. Authenticity and self-expression – that’s what it’s all about. It’s important to feel seen. On a personal level, I think society fears people that look like us. But I think that people who look the scariest are the first ones to help those in need. And also, they’re Canadian!
What are you wearing?
I made pretty much everything except the chest piece. It’s by an Amsterdam designer, Nnaej.
Lola GrahamPatricia Gajo/The Globe and Mail
Name: Lola Graham
Age: 34
Profession: Going back to school
Where are you from?: Vancouver, currently based in Paris
What do you like about Matières Fécales?
I love the brand because they are really bringing awareness to all the greed of the 1 per cent, the billionaires and the elite. I love that they give people a way to express themselves freely. I also love that they are a couple doing it together, doing it through love.
What are you wearing?
This top outfit is by Nana Jacqueline from America. Jewellery is Swarovski. Glasses are Prada. The rest is second-hand, vintage, consignment and borrowed stuff from Coco Klein.
Yan KaasikPatricia Gajo/The Globe and Mail
Name: Yan Kaasik
Age: 23
Profession: Fashion designer
Where are you from?: Estonia
What do you like about Matières Fécales?
Their bold and unique style. They’re my friends.
What are you wearing?
My own design.
Name: Sabina Afzal
Age: 29
Profession: I work at the UN in Kyiv. I’m also a fashion designer.
Where are you from?: Kyiv
Sabina Afzal, left, and Venera Vaitova.Patricia Gajo/The Globe and Mail
What do you like about Matières Fécales?
Diversity. They are adding models from different cultures and religions. It’s very cool. I’m happy to observe such a brand today.
What are you wearing?
My own design, SBN.
Name: Venera Vaitova
Age: 33
Profession: Fashion photographer
Where are you from?: Kyiv, currently based in London
What do you like about Matières Fécales?
I like how they are artistic. They have a dramatic side to them; they have clothes inspired by goddesses, angels and vampires. It’s mysterious.
What are you wearing?
Elenareva, a well-known Ukrainian brand.
Emmy CurimanPatricia Gajo/The Globe and Mail
Name: Emmy Curiman
Age: 24
Profession: Model
Where are you from?: Romania, currently based in Paris
What do you like about Matières Fécales?
I love it so much. Gothic. Avant-garde. I’m a trans girl, so this is important to me to see the beauty in everything.”
What are you wearing?
“New Rock boots. Thrifted skirt. Vivienne Westwood Bettina bag.”
These interviews have been edited and condensed.