Paris Fashion Week 2026 has once again become a stage for experimental fashion, but one runway show has attracted particular attention online for its unconventional beauty looks and dramatic Indian-inspired silhouettes.

Fashion label Matieres Fecales presented its Spring/Summer 2027 collection at Paris' Place de la République, featuring models with white-painted faces, bold red sindoor-like markings and theatrical ensembles that incorporated elements resembling traditional Indian clothing.

The striking presentation quickly went viral on social media, with viewers expressing contrasting reactions to the unusual styling. Some praised the collection's theatrical and avant-garde approach, while others used the phrase “chudail couture” to describe the eerie aesthetic.

One of the most noticeable elements of the Matieres Fecales Paris Fashion Week show was its dramatic makeup.

Models appeared with faces painted predominantly white, accompanied by prominent red markings resembling sindoor. The combination created an intentionally unsettling and theatrical appearance that became one of the most discussed aspects of the collection.

The styling was paired with exaggerated silhouettes and flowing garments, creating a runway presentation that blurred the lines between fashion, performance art and cultural references.

The collection also featured dramatic outfits incorporating visual elements associated with Indian sari dressing, while transforming them through unconventional cuts, proportions and styling.

Rather than presenting conventional interpretations of traditional clothing, the designs used familiar cultural references as part of a broader avant-garde aesthetic.

This combination of Indian-inspired fashion, experimental silhouettes and theatrical makeup helped the show stand out during Paris Fashion Week.

The collection was co-designed by Steven Raj Bhaskaran and Hannah Rose.

According to the supplied reports, the designers drew inspiration from Bhaskaran's upbringing in low-income housing in Montreal and the diverse cultures and religions that surrounded him while growing up.

The show was conceived as a tribute to immigrants, outsiders and communities that have historically remained on the margins of the fashion industry.

This context adds another layer to the collection, which uses unconventional styling and exaggerated visual language to explore identity, culture and belonging.

The phrase “chudail couture” emerged from social media reactions to the show's distinctive appearance.

The Hindi word chudail is commonly associated with a witch or supernatural female figure in South Asian folklore. Some social media users used the expression to describe the combination of white-painted faces, intense red markings and dramatic silhouettes.

However, reactions to the collection have not been uniform. While some viewers focused on the show's unusual and theatrical visual direction, others interpreted the styling differently, particularly because of its use of imagery resembling elements of Indian dress and beauty traditions.

The viral response highlights how fashion and cultural imagery can generate debate beyond the runway.

Matieres Fecales' Spring/Summer 2027 presentation was designed as an experimental fashion statement, but its combination of Indian-inspired styling, theatrical makeup and avant-garde design has led to wider online discussions about cultural references and representation in global fashion.

As images from the runway continue to circulate across social media, the show has become one of the more widely discussed experimental presentations from the current Paris Fashion Week season.