Meghan Markle was the queen of the quick change during Paris Fashion Week.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, wowed in a winter-white pantsuit with a matching cape at Balenciaga’s runway show on Saturday, October 4, ultimately trading the ensemble to attend another event that evening.
Meghan stepped out in Paris later on Saturday in another look designed by the famed fashion house, this time opting for a one-shouldered black gown with a matching pair of pumps.
For glam, Meghan wore her hair in a slicked-back bun with minimalistic, neutral-looking makeup.
Saturday was Meghan’s first time at Paris Fashion Week, where she traveled to support designer Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut Balenciaga collection.
“Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo. They have worked closely together collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage,” a rep for Meghan told Hello! in a statement. “She has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different.”
The spokesperson concluded, “This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
Piccioli, 58, assumed the role as Balenciaga creative director this summer, succeeding Demna.
“This is a new moment for fashion, and you can change the rules only from the inside. I think we can deliver a new image of fashion that is about assertiveness, humanity and intelligence, which is not granted very often,” Piccioli, the former Valentino designer, told Vogue in May. “Balenciaga already exists in a community. I want to embrace that community and the spirit of Balenciaga, to make my own chapter in the same story.”
He added, “I want to embrace the past, because I feel that it’s very important to have respect for what Nicolas [Ghesquière] and Demna did before me. The story of Balenciaga is a story of designers that I respect.”
During her Parisian getaway, Meghan let fans in on her experience by sharing footage via her Instagram Stories. She set one video of her Fashion Week ‘fit to Vitaa and Julian Doré’s “Viens on essaie” before sharing another video of her car driving past the famed Eiffel Tower.
“About last night. Thank you @pppiccioli and @balenciaga,” Meghan captioned a Sunday, October 5, montage of travel pics via Instagram. “I’ve missed you 🇫🇷 – thanks for the love ❤️.”
Meghan has slowly been figuring out her personal style now that she’s no longer a senior working royal. (Meghan and husband Prince Harry stepped down from their duties in 2020, subsequently moving from London to California.)
“Times where I know there is a global spotlight, and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with,” Meghan told The New York Times in an August 2024 profile, noting the importance of often choosing smaller brands “that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting.”
She continued, “That’s one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do, and that’s simply wearing, like, an earring. I spend a lot of time just Googling, looking for brands. When people are online looking for things or reading things, I’m trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories.”
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