When Meghan Markle appeared at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show earlier this month, her arrival took even the most seasoned fashion insiders by surprise. But according to the brand's new creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, the Duchess's appearance was not part of a grand publicity plan — it was her idea.
'Meghan and I met some years ago, and we've been texting ever since', Piccioli told The Cut. '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. In fashion, real surprises are rare, and this one was beautiful.'
