Invitation for one, please!
Balenciaga designer Pierpaolo Piccioli revealed Meghan Markle “reached out and said she’d love to come” to his Paris Fashion Week show.
After the Duchess of Sussex made her fashion show debut on Oct. 4, the newly minted creative director for the brand gave some insight on how her surprise appearance came to be.
“Meghan and I met some years ago, and we’ve been texting ever since,” he told The Cut on Saturday.
“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 stay a surprise.”
The Italian designer, 58, went on to note that “in fashion, real surprises are rare, and this one was beautiful.”
Two weeks ago, the “With Love, Meghan” star sent Paris Fashion Week attendees into a frenzy when she pulled up to the controversial brand’s show in a white, long-sleeved button-down tunic with a flowing cape and matching slacks.
She paired the minimalist outfit with black pointy-toed heels, a black clutch purse and diamond stud earrings.
At the time, a spokesperson for the former actress told People that she was there to support Piccioli, who was debuting his first collection with the brand after becoming creative director for the house in July.
“Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo,” the spokesperson told the outlet.
“They have worked closely together, collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage.”
Per 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, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
Despite this being such a notable moment for both Markle and Pierpalo, fans questioned why Markle would support a brand that has been involved in so much 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 user on Instagram.
“Why on earth would she go to a Balenciaga show? How could any mother support that brand?” added another.
“Irony a cancelled woman turns up for a cancelled brand. What is a mother thinking attending a fashion show of a house which used child models posing with fetish-themed teddy bears?” claimed a third person.
Markle, 44, shares Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, with husband Prince Harry, 41.
Critics were referring to Balenciaga coming under fire in 2022 for a campaign featuring children holding teddy bears that were dressed in bondage-style outfits.
Shortly after, the fashion house addressed the controversy and apologized for the nature of the shoot.
Unfortunately, that’s not the only thing Markle came under fire for during the show. At one point, while watching the models strut down the runway, she burst into a fit of giggles among a stoic crowd.
While it’s unclear what exactly had caused Markle’s laugh, some people believe she was reacting to a model who tripped on the runway. However, a rep for the former “Suits” star told the Daily Mail that Markle was not laughing at the model.
