LARA NEW YORK BROUGHT GOLDEN AGE MODELS TO THE RUNWAY
By: Erica Commisso
Paris Fashion Week is one of the industry’s hottest tickets, which means making a statement there carries a lot of weight. And that’s exactly what eveningwear brand LARA New York did.
During its presentation at Le Galerie Bourbon at the end of September, LARA New York’s runway showcase featured models from the Chinese Golden Model Search, marking the second time the two organizations have partnered in Paris with the goal of bringing mature elegance to an international stage.
Courtesy: The Riviere Agency
The models, all aged 40 and above, travelled from major Chinese cultural hubs including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to take the Parisian runway and prove that elegance transcends age, culture, and expectation. The bespoke collection that LARA New York showcased on the runway, which focused on the mother-of-the-bride collection, featured show-stopping gowns that were meticulously tailored to the meet the exact measurements of each Golden Age model and blended rich Eastern heritage with sophisticated Western silhouettes. Soft, feminine palettes and design touches like pearl embellishments, shimmering beads and sweeping trains highlighted the inherent beauty and grace present in women regardless of age.
The inaugural Golden Age and LARA collaboration in 2025 involved an intensive, three-month search across the globe and brought 30 Golden Age models to the Parisian runway to present the collection. It was such a resounding success that it returned to the Fashion Week runway in 2026.
"Fashion is a universal language that speaks to everyone, regardless of where they come from or how old they are," said Linda Heng of the Golden Model Search. "Bringing Chinese Golden Age models to the Paris runway alongside Western design isn't just about breaking age barriers in fashion, it's about building real, lasting connections between cultures through shared creativity and respect."
Before stepping onto the runway, the Golden Age models also gathered in Rome to participate in a live-broadcasted feature program titled Dialogue on Chinese Italian Clothing (China-Italy Costume TV Fashion Show), which aired on September 26, and also got involved in fashion and cultural activities in Italy including editorial photoshoots at the Colosseum, visits to historic castles like Castelli Romani and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, and a Seine River cruise upon arrival in Paris.
Courtesy; The Riviere Agency
LARA New York was founded in 1982 and focuses on special event clothing including prom, cocktail, bridal, and mother-of-the-bride dresses. The Golden Age model initiative, meanwhile, was founded in March 2025 and became the first global platform to integrate middle-aged and senior Chinese models into the fashion circuit, coming into the global spotlight with the LARA New York partnership during Paris Fashion Week in fall 2025.
The LARA New York presentation had a clear goal in mind, and the brand was on a distinct mission to prove that elegance has no age, and that blending cultural heritages and paying homage to them can be modern, bold, and aspirational. The historic showcase and partnership between the brand and the Golden Age models set a new benchmark for high fashion and truly celebrated inclusivity, artistry, and enduring style that knows no age limits.