How French Ballet Dancer Hugo Marchand Kicked Off His Dance Season

This weekend, the 2026 Paris Opera Ballet Gala—held at the historic Opéra Garnier—marked the opening of the city’s official dance season. The occasion featured three performances and brought the entire company together under one roof, including one of its star dancers, the French ballerino Hugo Marchand. “Attending the Paris Opera Gala is always an exciting and beautiful experience,” Marchand tells Vogue. “To get to share the stage with the whole company is very special. The famous ‘Défilé’ is really a must—as a principal dancer, it really helps you measure the time passing, and what you represent for the institution.”

Marchand is no stranger to the Paris Opera Ballet, of course. In 2007, he entered the Paris Opera Ballet School, and he has since performed many nights at the Opéra Garnier, as well as toured with the company through Madrid, New York and Japan. At the gala this weekend, Marchand once again brought his star power to the stage: He and fellow dancer Germain Louvet kicked off the evening with the pas de deux “Rings of Saturn” by Juliano Nuñes. “I was lucky enough to perform with my best friend Germain, who's also a principal dancer,” says Marchand. “It was a very moving moment to show the audience our friendship through dance.”

Given it was such a special evening, Marchand wanted to find a striking look to celebrate the exciting dance season ahead. For the festive gala, Marchand worked with his close friend and stylist Christopher Rao to find the perfect red carpet outfit. Together they landed on a black Hermès leather jumpsuit, from designer Véronique Nichanian’s fall 2026 collection (her last for the house). “I felt absolutely at ease wearing it. I like that it is a bit disruptive, and not really expected in that kind of event,” says Marchand.

The jumpsuit is actually a re-edition of a leather style that first appeared in Hermès’s fall 1991 menswear collection. To make it feel fresh and modern, though, Marchand paired it with a charcoal poplin sleeveless top and calfskin boots, as well as diamond pavé rings, earrings, and a chaîne d'ancre necklace from the historic French maison. “All the details in the jumpsuit were so delicate,” says Marchand. “The jewelry was more discreet and subtle, which created a nice balance with the outfit.”

The edgy, moto-inspired look was a fresh alternative to the more dancerly and lightweight styles that Marchand typically dons on stage. For the rest of the month, however, the dancer will be slipping back into his movement-ready attire: He is starring in L’Histoire de Manon, a sentimental production for the star. “It’s an incredible ballet, and the first leading role I was given when I was only 21 years old,” says Marchand. “I danced it with Dorothée Gilbert, who's now doing her farewell on Thursday. This is a very moving moment for both of us, as we have been performing together for more than 10 years. I want to enjoy every second by her side before saying a final goodbye.”

Marchand has been dancing in the production since early September, and it’s been a ballet unlike any other. “It’s a very demanding ballet—technically speaking, but also the emotional side of it,” says Marchand. “As ‘Des Grieux,’ the male part, you have to be extremely in shape, as the pas de deux lifts are difficult, elevated, dangerous even, sometimes. The story of the ballet is also quite dramatic, so you have to dig into your own emotional life to embody the characters in a genuine way.”

Once Marchand concludes L’Histoire de Manon in Paris at the end of the month he hopes to get a little rest before he travels with the production in November to the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and then the Royal Ballet Covent Garden in London.

How does a star ballet dancer spend his (brief) days off? “In my downtime, I try to recover physically but also mentally and emotionally,” he says. “I need to recharge to get ready to give it all again for the next performance.” Come December, for one, he will also be returning to Paris for the triple bill Rituals at Opéra Bastille. “I’m very much looking forward to living these adventures!”