In brief
- The famous Autun fashion show will take place on Friday 2 October 2026 from 7pm at the L’Hexagone cultural centre.
- Famous styling experts Charla Carter and Nicolas Waldorf will return to host live makeover sessions.
- Last year, this celebration of local trade brought together more than 1,100 spectators in the heart of the Burgundian town.
An unmissable event for Burgundian style
The grand Autun fashion show, orchestrated by the local municipality and local traders, will take to the stage at L’Hexagone on Friday 2 October 2026 from 7pm to celebrate the season’s new trends.
The town of Autun, rich in centuries of history and exceptional architectural heritage, is preparing to vibrate to the rhythm of contemporary creation and sartorial elegance. This annual event demonstrates a fierce determination to showcase the dynamism of town-centre shops beyond the borders of Saône-et-Loire. By choosing a strategic date at the beginning of October, the organisers allow regional residents to discover the key pieces that will make up their autumn and winter wardrobes. This close collaboration between the municipal administration and local business forces demonstrates that fashion and regional appeal form an inseparable duo, capable of breathing new energy into the local economy.
An Autun fashion show dedicated to elegance
For this new edition, the main stage of L’Hexagone will be transformed into a true catwalk dedicated to the season’s creations and trends. The town’s independent boutiques will take to the spotlight to reveal their exclusive collections, new arrivals and stylistic favourites to the public. An ephemeral stage will highlight the expertise and diversity of town-centre businesses, enhanced by meticulous staging and hosting by a presenter from the Fréquence Plus radio station. Last year, more than 1,100 spectators gathered to support this particularly dynamic local synergy.
This visual spectacle, designed with a rigor worthy of the greatest fashion events, offers an immersive staging where light, sound and movement come together to showcase the work of Autun traders. Local stores, specialising in ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, footwear and jewellery, carefully select the looks that will walk the catwalk before an audience of enthusiasts and curious onlookers. The involvement of Fréquence Plus radio adds an essential interactive and festive dimension, ensuring a lively atmosphere throughout the evening. The impressive turnout observed at the previous edition underlines the residents’ deep attachment to their local shops and their desire to share a moment of collective togetherness centred on local creativity.
The eagerly awaited return of two style experts
The announcement of Charla Carter and Nicolas Waldorf’s return is already generating great anticipation among fashion enthusiasts in the Burgundy region. These two professionals, recognised for their respective careers in fashion journalism, high-end hairdressing and television, embody a modern, accessible and uninhibited vision of style. Their visit to Autun is not only a mark of prestige for the event, but also offers a rare opportunity to bring the general public closer to the high standards of professional makeover techniques. Their complementary rapport on screen and stage guarantees a show filled with expert advice, relevant observations and a genuine attentiveness to everyone’s needs.
Their approach is distinguished by a complete lack of judgment, favouring a constructive approach where clothing and hair styling become tools for self-expression. By partnering once again with this Autun initiative, they reaffirm their commitment to the values of community and sharing. Spectators will have the opportunity to observe up close the precision of their work and how a kind, external eye can transform a look while respecting the individual’s core personality. This expert duo brings major professional credibility to an evening that goes far beyond a simple presentation of seasonal clothing.
Makeover sessions with renowned experts
The evening’s other main attraction lies in the exceptional presence of stylist Charla Carter and hair stylist-visagist Nicolas Waldorf. These two iconic figures of the fashion and makeover world will bring their sharp eye and expertise to enhance the selected participants. Their synergy and attention to detail promise to offer the audience intense moments of shared experience, where elegance goes hand in hand with kindness.
The art of makeovers relies on a subtle understanding of body shape, colour theory and personal psychology. Charla Carter, backed by her extensive international experience, can identify at a glance the cuts and fabrics that will flatter every silhouette, while Nicolas Waldorf uses his mastery of visagism to sculpt faces and reveal the radiance of the eyes through bespoke cuts and styles. Together, they guide participants towards making peace with their image, proving that elegance is not a matter of rigid standards, but of harmony and confidence. The stage at L’Hexagone will thus become the scene of spectacular transformations, taking place under the watchful and captivated eyes of the audience.
Personalised guidance on stage and behind the scenes
During the evening, one man and one woman will have the privilege of taking to the stage to undergo a complete wardrobe transformation under the direction of Charla Carter. Candidates wishing to benefit from this unique opportunity have until 22 September 2026 to submit their application via the official online form. After the one-night models take their turn on stage, the experience will continue behind the scenes where Nicolas Waldorf will host a personalised advice area. Spectators will be able to speak directly with the expert and receive tailored recommendations to perfect their hairstyle.
The rigorous selection of one male and one female candidate reflects a desire for diversity and inclusivity, showing that personal grooming and style concern everyone, regardless of gender or age. The deadline of 22 September 2026 for submitting applications is generating positive excitement within the local community, with everyone hoping for the chance to enjoy this privileged experience. Nicolas Waldorf’s initiative to extend his work behind the scenes by providing a direct conversation space adds invaluable quality to the event. This intimate setting breaks down the barrier between the nationally renowned expert and the public, offering every visitor the opportunity to leave with practical tools to enhance their daily image.
The impact of makeovers on self-esteem and social connection
Beyond the aesthetic dimension and showcasing clothing from Autun’s boutiques, makeover sessions hold genuine social and psychological significance. Seeing oneself transformed before the supportive eyes of a warm audience often triggers a major internal shift for the selected participants. The guidance offered by Charla Carter and Nicolas Waldorf aims to align how people see themselves with the image they project to the world. For the audience, watching these transformations unfold live evokes strong empathy and serves as a reminder that clothing and hairstyles are essential forms of non-verbal communication in daily and professional life.
This approach fits perfectly with the ethos of local commerce, defined above all by human connection, attentive listening and bespoke advice. Unlike impersonal purchases on e-commerce platforms, Autun’s independent shopkeepers offer tailored support based on an in-depth understanding of their clientele. The fashion show and makeover sessions highlight this irreplaceable added value of town-centre retail, where making a purchase once again becomes a moment of dialogue, guidance and mutual appreciation between retailer and customer.
A festive celebration of the local art of living
Burgundy is historically renowned for its conviviality, warm hospitality and deep commitment to festive traditions. This annual event at L’Hexagone fully embraces this art of living, transforming a simple fashion presentation into a major community gathering. The synergy created between showcasing fashion trends and sharing informal moments over a drink or snack helps strengthen ties between different generations in the town. It offers residents an opportunity to come together, discuss the vibrancy of their region and actively support the local economy in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
A festive celebration of local expertise
To turn this event into a true town-centre celebration, food and drink areas will be set up to extend the evening in a relaxed atmosphere. This edition will also feature the launch of a new PetitsCommerces scheme, designed to directly support Autun’s economic fabric. This incentive scheme forms part of the municipality’s overall strategy to enhance the appeal of its town centre and highlight the daily commitment of local shopkeepers.
The creation of social areas within the L’Hexagone cultural centre will turn the event into a lively hub for extended conversation. Spectators can debrief on the fashion show, share their thoughts on the makeovers and plan their next visits to town-centre boutiques. The launch of the PetitsCommerces initiative during this strategic evening serves as a major economic driver. This type of scheme provides practical encouragement for shopping locally through tailored support mechanisms, reminding every citizen that maintaining a vibrant and dynamic town centre directly depends on individual consumer choices. Through this joint effort, Autun brilliantly demonstrates its ability to combine culture, entertainment and commercial revitalization.
The crucial role of the municipality in regional animation
The direct involvement of the Autun municipality in organising this major fashion show highlights a keen awareness of the stakes involved in sustaining the vitality of medium-sized town centres. Faced with growing competition from out-of-town retail parks and e-commerce giants, municipalities must redouble their creativity to offer unifying events that inspire residents to visit their town centre once again. By making the L’Hexagone cultural centre available and coordinating the various stakeholders, the town of Autun positions itself as a key facilitator of local economic success.
This policy of regional animation forms part of a broader urban revitalisation plan, in which cultural and festive events serve as an attractive showcase. The ongoing success of the Autun fashion show year after year proves that when public bodies partner intelligently with the private initiatives of independent shopkeepers, results follow. The presence of media personalities such as Charla Carter and Nicolas Waldorf helps put the spotlight on Autun, reinforcing local pride and consolidating the town’s reputation as a hub of dynamism and elegance within the Burgundy region.
