Laura Dern makes runway debut at Paris Fashion Week for Gabriela Hearst SS26

Laura Dern opens Gabriela Hearst’s show at Paris Fashion Week in a handmade dress.

Gina Tadros
Gina Tadros

Article summary

AI Generated

Laura Dern, the actress, made her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week, opening Gabriela Hearst's Spring/Summer 2026 show. Dern donned a white gown with leather flowers. The collection featured tarot symbolism and prioritised sustainability, with 97% of the materials being deadstock fabrics.

Key points

  • Laura Dern, aged 58, made her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week.
  • Dern opened Gabriela Hearst's Spring/Summer 2026 show in a floral gown.
  • The collection featured tarot symbolism and sustainable materials.

Paris witnessed a historic fashion moment on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, when American actress Laura Dern, 58, made her runway debut during Paris Fashion Week. The Oscar-winning star, known for her roles in “Big Little Lies” and the “Jurassic Park” series, opened the Spring/Summer 2026 show for Uruguayan designer Gabriela Hearst.

Hearst carefully selected Dern to open the show — a decision far from coincidental. A loyal admirer of Hearst’s designs since 2019, Dern appeared in a sleeveless white gown adorned with more than 2,400 hand-crafted leather flowers. Featuring a plunging neckline and three-dimensional floral appliqués, the gown was the only piece in the collection to carry this distinctive abstract motif.

Symbolism of Colours

Hearst built her palette around tarot symbolism: blue for wisdom, pink for love, and green for the creative path. The collection featured sweeping floor-length silhouettes — sheath dresses, capes, ponchos and robes. Sacred tarot references appeared in the details, including gold necklaces shaped like a crescent moon, staff, skull and chalice, woven into the fringes of suede skirts and coats.

The show, staged on a terrace overlooking a lush garden in Paris’s historic 5th arrondissement, was accompanied by a carefully crafted catalogue featuring watercolor illustrations of tarot archetypes — from the High Priestess and Empress to the Nurturer, the Medium and the Lovers. One excerpt read: “I am a radiant being. I am a living treasure. I deeply honor and value the boundless resource of courage within me.”

Sustainability and Craft at the Forefront

Advertisement

Hearst’s commitment to sustainability was evident: 97% of the collection was made from deadstock fabrics and recycled materials. Luxurious textiles included cashmere-silk blends with a cool touch, sustainably sourced Sea Island cotton from a small-scale supplier in Barbados, and heavy linen occasionally highlighted with golden accents.

Standout details included elegant sandals made from invasive-species leathers, underscoring Hearst’s eco-conscious approach. The collection also featured unique knit jackets printed with Hearst’s own watercolor designs, adding a personal and artistic touch to the lineup.