Invitation for One, Please!
Balenciaga designer Pierpaolo Piccioli shared that Meghan Markle “reached out and said she’d love to attend” his Paris Fashion Week show.
Following the Duchess of Sussex’s fashion show debut on October 4, the brand’s newly appointed creative director offered insight into how her unexpected appearance came about.
“Meghan and I met a few years ago, and we’ve been in touch ever since,” he told The Cut on Saturday.
The designer spoke to The Cut on Saturday about Meghan Markle’s surprise appearance.
“She reached out and said she’d love to come to the show. There was no strategy or big orchestration. I didn’t tell anyone she was coming because I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said.
The 58-year-old Italian designer added, “In fashion, real surprises are rare, and this one was beautiful.”
Two weeks ago, the With Love, Meghan star caused a stir at Paris Fashion Week when she arrived at the controversial brand’s show wearing a white, long-sleeved button-down tunic with a flowing cape and matching slacks.
She completed the minimalist look with black pointy-toed heels, a black clutch, and diamond stud earrings.
The two have been friends for years.
At the time, a spokesperson for the former actress told People that Markle attended to support Piccioli as he debuted his first collection with the brand since becoming its creative director in July.
“Over the years, the Duchess has worn numerous designs by Pierpaolo,” the spokesperson said. “They have worked closely together, collaborating on key moments on the world stage.”
According to the spokesperson, Markle has “long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different. This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, seen in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
“They have worked closely together, collaborating on designs for key moments on the world stage,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the significance of the event for both Markle and Piccioli, fans questioned why the Duchess would support a brand that has faced considerable controversy.
“The ‘duchess’ of hypocrisy: a lady who claims to defend the interests of children, going to a fashion show that ran a disgusting campaign with children,” wrote one Instagram user.
“Why on earth would she go to a Balenciaga show? How could any mother support that brand?” added another.
“Irony: a canceled woman turns up for a canceled brand. What is a mother thinking attending a fashion show of a house that used child models posing with fetish-themed teddy bears?” commented a third.
Markle, 44, shares Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, with her husband, Prince Harry, 41.
Markle shares two children with Prince Harry.
Critics were referencing Balenciaga’s 2022 controversy, when the brand faced backlash for a campaign featuring children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage-style outfits. The fashion house later addressed the criticism and issued an apology for the shoot.
That wasn’t the only moment that drew attention during the show. While watching the models walk the runway, Markle reportedly burst into a fit of giggles amid a generally stoic crowd.
Although it’s unclear what prompted her laughter, some speculated it was a reaction to a model who tripped on the runway. However, a representative for the former Suits star told the Daily Mail that Markle was not laughing at the model.
