Meghan Markle Makes Surprise Appearance at Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week debut
PARIS, October 7, 2023 – Meghan Markle stunned attendees at the Balenciaga fashion show Saturday evening, marking an unannounced appearance at the event showcasing Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut collection for the iconic house. The Duchess of Sussex was seated in a prominent front-row position alongside a constellation of stars including Georgina Rodriguez, Lauren Sanchez, Isabelle Huppert, anne Hathaway, and Laetitia Casta.
Markle’s presence adds a high-profile element to a pivotal moment for Balenciaga. The show signaled a new era for the brand following a decade under Demna,with Piccioli – previously at Valentino for 25 years – tasked with charting its future. The invitation itself, a walkman with a cassette playing the sound of a heartbeat, underscored the sense of anticipation surrounding the change in creative direction.
The Kering group, Balenciaga’s owner, appointed Piccioli in May, entrusting him with building upon the legacy of founder Cristóbal Balenciaga, who established the house in 1917 and relocated it to Paris in 1937.Markle’s attendance underscores the fashion world’s keen interest in the direction Piccioli will take the brand.
Beyond Markle, the guest list included Georgina Rodriguez, fiancée of Cristiano ronaldo, and actress Lauren Sanchez, wife of Jeff Bezos, demonstrating the show’s broad appeal and cementing its status as a major cultural event.
