Paris Fashion Week opened this week with the L’Oreal Paris Le Défilé. Last year’s runway was at the iconic Eiffel Tower, so it was a hard act to follow. But astound it did. The glittering affair, which took place on the opening day of Paris Fashion Week at the iconic Opéra de Paris, had 3300 guests in attendance. Thirty-two of the L’Oreal Paris’ ambassadors walked the runway (among them, Jane Fonda, Andie MacDowell, Viola Davis and Kendall Jenner) in celebration of self-worth, feminity and feminism, and democratising beauty.
Now in its seventh year, the 2024 runway show had six acts, each representing the power of beauty. Backstage there were a whopping 60 makeup and hairstylists, and the show was livestreamed across more than 20 countries. It’s impressive stuff.
In the hours before the spectacular event, marie claire caught up Eva Longoria. Here is what the actor, business woman and mother had to say about democratising beauty and finding your worth.
Marie Claire: Eva, you have been an ambassador with L’Oreal Paris for years, what do you love about the L’Oreal Paris Le Défilé runway show?
Eva Longoria: We have all designers, so you get to see a true fashion show, a show of fashion. And it’s like so many different designers. The stylist really picks a lot of up-and-coming designers as well so there might be some pieces that you’ve never seen. And obviously we have this insane collection of ambassadors, I mean, from all over the world. We get to come together. Everybody comes in and descends upon Fashion Week – so it’s like so fun to see the sisterhood celebrated here at the Le Défilé.
MC: Sounds like a big family reunion! That must be really fun. What does “Walk Your Worth” mean to you?
EL: The motto for L’Oreal Paris has been a battle cry for women for decades. You know, to really look at your life and identify your own self-worth, and that goes beyond hair and makeup and skincare – [it’s about] your job, your relationships… To do the runway is always so fun, because it amplifies that mantra for women. It’s always a positive thing for me.
MC: How does the event align with your own values regarding empowerment and inclusivity?
EL: I think that’s why I’ve been with L’Oreal for 20 years. I mean, the DNA of who they are is the DNA of who I am – empowering women to recognise that they’re more than what they can even imagine. The work that I’ve done in my foundation and my activism and my philanthropy, always lines up perfectly.
MC: This ties into the issues we have with ageism. How do you think it impacts woment today?
EL: As entertainers it impacts us – obviously more than men – because there seems to be a shelf life to our careers. We’re all aging. Everybody ages; that’s just inevitable. And I love the wisdom I have gained. I have had this experience and the brain that I have now. I wish I had that in my 20s. What is [the saying]? Youth is wasted on the young.
MC: What advice to you have for women to age well?
EL: Embrace it. Make the most of it, it just gets better.
MC: How do events like this complement your work?
EL: It’s all artistic. I think fashion’s an extension of that, music’s an extension of that, acting is an extension of that. To be in the community of artists and the community of creatives. I love it. I really have such an appreciation for what goes into a week like Fashion Week. It’s really a feat for all these houses, big and small, to celebrate that creativity. I love being a part of it.
MC: There is a genuine sisterhood…
EL: I’ve loved my relationships at L’Oreal Paris. Aishwarya Rai, who’s one of my dearest friends, and Andie MacDowell; we’ve been around a long time, and [we] lean on each other. Jane Fonda has been a mentor of mine for many, many years. Just to be surrounded by these women and be able to tap into their experience and have conversations with them not just about work, but about life, their approach to their careers, how they balance their life. It’s such a great resource.
MC: How has your approach to beauty evolved over the years?
EL: Oh, it evolves. What I’ve loved most probably, about the industry of beauty is the technology. There was so much technology in skincare, hair care, makeup. There’s hyaluronic acid in my foundation, there’s hyaluronic acid in my shampoo. So, it’s not just about, putting makeup on to cover your skin. It’s going to help skin. My long-wearing lipstick now is 24 hours and it’s moisturising. Technology that has evolved over time fascinates me.
