Meghan Markle makes first Paris Fashion Week debut

Meghan Markle officially made her debut at Paris Fashion Week on October 4, attending Pierpaolo Piccioli’s inaugural show as creative director at Balenciaga. Though she had been seen at New York and Toronto Fashion Weeks during her acting years, this marks her first appearance at a Paris runway event.

Arriving in a dramatic all-white ensemble, Meghan wore a sweeping white cape over a silky white shirt with matching trousers. She paired the look with Balenciaga’s iconic black Knife pumps, carried a small black clutch, and styled her hair in a sleek slicked-back bun. Her makeup was understated, letting the crisp silhouette take the spotlight.

Later that evening, she shifted into a darker tone: a black dress with an asymmetrical one-shoulder cape detail. The second look preserved her minimalist elegance while offering a striking contrast to her first outfit.

Her presence was not only a fashion statement but also a symbolic reconnection to European fashion circles. A spokesperson noted Meghan and Piccioli share years of mutual admiration and that she has frequently worn his designs, making her show attendance a gesture of support for his new chapter at Balenciaga.

In Paris, she was also photographed greeting Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director. It has long been rumored that Meghan and Wintour's relationship cooled after Meghan’s team clashed with editorial control demands years ago. Reports suggest that in 2022, Meghan sought extensive creative control over a planned Vogue cover and story, which allegedly frustrated Wintour and led to the feature being pulled.

Yet on Saturday, the two appeared in a warm exchange. In a viral moment, Meghan and Wintour hugged and exchanged compliments, with Anna reportedly telling Meghan she looked “beautiful, cherie.” The gesture was interpreted by many as a reconciliation of sorts.

This Paris debut will be remembered not only for its sartorial finesse but also for the undercurrents of fashion diplomacy.