Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at the Balenciaga runway show in Paris (Photo: Balenciaga Instagram)
On Saturday, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, grabbed the headlines as she wore head-to-toe Balenciaga to the inaugural runway show of its new designer, Pier Paolo Piccioli, whom she knows from his time at Valentino.
Though she’s gone to fashion weeks in New York and Toronto, this was her first time in Paris. She could be seen exchanging kisses with Vogue’s Anna Wintour, an awkward embrace with Piccioli, and sitting in a prime front-row seat. That evening, she went out to dinner, again wearing Balenciaga.
It was a perfect example of fashion synergy: she gave the brand a burst of publicity and in return, she reminded everyone that she can still glam it up after two seasons of a decidedly casual lifestyle show.
Royal fashion critique, Meghan edition:
White outfit (runway show): It may be very well tailored and very, very expensive but the oversized shirt, pants, and scarf consisted of so much fabric that it looked like a toga and pyjama pants – comfortable but not flattering on her slim figure.
Black outfit (dinner): The figure-hugging satin evening gown was pure Meghan, with its covered front and low back. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
A few days ago, Meghan’s brand quietly updated its offerings by again offering its apricot spread and some other food items for sale. I didn’t immediately register that there was something new from As Ever because the Instagram post’s text was cryptic — “We heard you missed us. We’re back…and we brought a friend.” — and didn’t show the new wine until the second image. It’s a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
Today, its Instagram page says the announcement post was made “two days ago” suggesting that it was done on Saturday. (That Instagram doesn’t give precise times and days for posts is an irritant that will never end.)