The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, appeared at Paris Fashion Week this week to support her friend, Pierpaolo Piccioli, as he showcased his debut collection for fashion house Balenciaga, but an air kiss mishap was snapped as she greeted the designer and quickly picked up online.
Why It Matters
Paris Fashion Week is drawing to a close, ending what has been one of the busiest fashion months in recent memory.
What To Know
Meghan’s appearance at Paris Fashion Week came as a surprise—it was her first time at the final week of fashion month in more than a decade.
In the clip, Meghan goes in for a kiss on the cheek with Piccioli, but then knocks into his face and sunglasses as she tries to move.
The pair swiftly recovered, though, and went on to pose for a photo together.
And while Meghan has not frequented fashion month in recent years, clothes design is a major part of her brand and lifestyle.
The former TV actor recently starred in a reality TV show on Netflix, called, With Love, Megan where she spoke about her “high-low” style approach to mixing designer and high street fashion.
Earlier in the year, Meghan launched a new digital shop, called As Ever, where fans can purchase clothing and other recommendations from the Duchess.
The spring and summer 2026 runway season has born witness to a remarkable game of musical chairs at the biggest names in luxury fashion, with the likes of Bottega Veneta, Dior, Versace, Maison Margiela, and Loewe all having brought in new creative directors who are showcasing debut collections this season.
Picciolo was announced as the creative director of Kering-owned Balenciaga in May. He has previously been the creative director of Valentino, which is now under the helm of Alessandro Michele, who had previously been the creative director of Gucci. Michele has been replaced by Demna Gvasalia, who had been the creative director of Balenciaga prior to Picciolo’s appointment.
And as the visionaries of the fashion world move around the houses in moves akin to an incredibly chic game of chess, the debuts are not done. Still to come is Matthieu Blazy’s first collection at Chanel, arguably the biggest designer debut of the decade.
What People Are Saying
A spokesman for Meghan Markle, as per the BBC: “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. She 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.”
What’s Next
Meghan is preparing to release a holiday special of her Netflix show With Love, Meghan in December of this year.
