Céline Dion's Custom Gown For The Olympics Opening Ceremony Had Heads Turning

The 2024 Paris Olympics have been in the spotlight not only because of fierce athletic achievements but also because to its historic opening ceremony — one that was held outside of a stadium for the first time, meaning more people than ever got to witness the spectacle. Of course, the City of Love is the perfect location for a lavish ceremony, with its stunning architecture adding an extra je ne sais quoi to the event's mood and the beautiful Seine river providing both tranquility and a breezy runway for the opening ceremony. However, one moment of the ceremony particularly stole the show: Céline Dion's incredible comeback with a breathtaking performance of Édith Piaf's "Hymne A L'Amour" on none other than the Eiffel Tower, which marked the musician's first performance since being diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022.

While Dion's voice and stage presence were magnificent, we at Glam naturally have to talk about the star's dress. For her big comeback, the singer put her trust in Dior, and it certainly paid off. The custom dress was sparkly and glamorous, perfectly emphasizing not only the ceremony's grandeur but also how important this moment was for a singer whose health had been in the way of her lifelong passion: music.

What may surprise many is that the stunning turtleneck Dior dress that Céline Dion wore at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony took more than 1,000 hours to make. "A silk georgette embroidered with sequins (pierced sparkles) and over 500 meters of fringing studded with thousands of silver beads coming alive with the rhythm of her performance," Vogue revealed on Instagram, giving us a glimpse into just how much work making a haute-couture gown truly is. "She was the queen and won the gold medal," one fan commented on Vogue's post, while another wrote, "Put that in the Louvre." Another went so far as to say, "It was a goddess moment – like she was commanding the rain." 

Dion's love affair with Dior is no secret. After all, who could forget the white, backward Dior suit she wore to the 1999 Academy Awards that sadly put her on our list of worst Oscars looks of all time? Moreover, her relationship with Dior is so sound that Dion was spotted talking to fans in Paris in a matching Dior set consisting of pants and a sweater the day before the opening ceremony. It certainly seems as if the star wanted none other than the French luxury fashion brand to play a role in her comeback, and Dion thanked Dior on Instagram after the performance, adding that the fashion house "helped make this dream come true."

Céline Dion's instantly iconic dress was designed by Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Dion didn't want to take away from its glory by going heavy with accessories. Instead, the "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" singer decided to add only delicate, dangly earrings that matched the dress perfectly. Dion's hair was pulled back into a sleek low bun, and her makeup featured a smokey eye and plenty of bronzer for a sun-kissed look. Following Dion's performance, Chiuri took to Instagram to thank the superstar for allowing her to create the gown, adding that "it was such a pleasure to take part [in] this special moment and to create this all over embroidered cape dress for this stunning performance." 

As a reminder, this was the musician's first live performance in four years, as the star had been on a hiatus since March 2020, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later due to her health concerns. However, that was never going to stop her from returning to performing and traveling. This April, just three months before her stunning performance in Paris, Dion opened up to Vogue about her plans for a comeback. "I've chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again," the "My Heart Will Go On" singer said. And now that Dion is back, we can't wait to hear her beautiful voice again — and see her collaborate with the French fashion powerhouse even more.