Every couture season produces its own front row revelation: a rising figure who moves seamlessly from show to show, each appearance sharper than the last. This Paris couture week, that distinction belongs to Olandria Carthen. Attending the shows for the first time, the Love Island USA alum approached the circuit with a confidence—and wardrobe—more befitting a seasoned fashion insider than a newcomer.
Carthen opened her couture schedule at Rahul Mishra on Monday in a look that signaled serious intent. Rather than easing into couture conservatively, she opted for a sculptural mini dress rendered in textured gold fabric. The piece featured dimensional, wraparound panels that created a three-dimensional effect, catching the light with every movement. It was bold, architectural, and unmistakably couture-minded.
By Friday, Carthen had shifted gears at Valentino, where she joined a high-profile front row alongside Dakota Johnson, Lily Allen, and Tyla. Here, her styling leaned bohemian: a multi-print sundress with a bodice cut-out and fur-trimmed hemline offered softness and ease. A pair of striking red sandals nodded to fashion’s ongoing “pop of red” obsession, while a black clutch grounded the look.
Later that evening, Carthen returned to structure for Robert Wun’s presentation, arriving in a ruby red gown with fluid draping and a theatrical top hat, an outfit that balanced elegance with a knowing sense of drama. The look felt intentional, almost declarative, reinforcing her growing fluency in fashion’s visual language.
Carthen’s rise has been swift but steady. Since becoming a fan favorite on Love Island USA season seven, she’s emerged as a fixture on the style circuit, appearing at major film premieres, the CFDA Awards, and making her Golden Globes debut earlier this month in an emerald Christian Siriano gown. She’s even crossed into runway territory, walking for Sergio Hudson during New York Fashion Week.
With her first couture week now complete, Carthen’s transition feels official.
