Paris couture week opened Monday not with sequins or red carpet pageantry, but with the surreal sight of Cardi B and a live crow. Wrapped in a custom Schiaparelli gown of graphic fringe, the U.S. rapper stood beneath the gilded columns of the Petit Palais,

A warm “howdy” is becoming more appropriate than a breathy “bonjour” backstage at Paris Fashion Week. On day one, Americans are already the flavour of the autumn/winter 2026 haute couture season at two leading fashion houses, leaving the acquired taste of French designers in short supply.

Wrapped in a custom Schiaparelli gown of graphic fringe, the U.S. rapper stood beneath the gilded columns of the Petit Palais, holding the black bird on her arm. Her avian plus one squawked, glared and nearly lunged — setting the tone for a monochrome show that itself soared straight into the surreal.