Meghan Markle and Anne Hathaway Dazzle at the Paris Debut of Fashion’s Great Romantic Designer

Paris in the evening has a way of softening even the sharpest edges. As guests slipped into a centuries-old chapel for Balenciaga’s latest show, the mood felt reverent, anticipatory, a hush before the beauty. For Malibu Elixir’s community, this was a moment to savor: a new chapter for a storied house, framed not by spectacle alone, but by intention. And at its heart was a designer who understands that elegance is a feeling as much as a silhouette.

A Return Steeped in Respect

Balenciaga’s show unfolded inside a chapel from the era of Louis XIII, tucked within the historic Laennec complex. The location was meaningful: only months prior, the space had hosted a retrospective honoring Demna, the brand’s former designer (now at Gucci). Pierpaolo Piccioli chose this setting deliberately, signaling a gracious continuity before his first full step forward.

It’s very Piccioli — compassionate, humanist, deeply aware of legacy. Relocating from Rome to Paris, he framed his debut with humility: acknowledge the past, then elevate it. The tone was set for a collection rooted in memory and crafted for now.

A Front Row of Modern Icons

The audience sparkled with global star power, a testament to Balenciaga’s cultural gravity. Among the guests: Anne Hathaway, Kristin Scott Thomas, director Baz Luhrmann, and Thai actor and model PP Krit. And then came a headline sighting for fashion lovers: Meghan Markle making her Paris Fashion Week debut in a serene white cape, silk shirt, and sweeping trousers.

Meghan Markle makes her Paris Fashion Week debut at Balenciaga. The Duchess of Sussex has worn several of Piccioli’s designs over the years.

Anne Hathaway attends Balenciaga in Paris — Also in attendance was Anne Hathaway, who has previously supported Piccioli at Valentino…

Thai actor and model PP Krit at Balenciaga — … and the Thai actor and model PP Krit.

The Collection: Heritage Reimagined

Sculpture in Motion

Piccioli opened with a slinky, long black interpretation of Balenciaga’s infamous “sack” dress, styled with pristine white opera gloves and gleaming visor shades. From there, the lines softened and swelled: tops and skirts in rounded, cocoon silhouettes nodded to Cristóbal Balenciaga’s architectural genius. Trains fanned and billowed, turning each stride into a quiet performance.

Opening look referencing Balenciaga history — The opening look had nods to Balenciaga’s history and the designers that came before Piccioli.

Loose-fit silhouettes and flat shoes prioritizing comfort — Loose-fit tops, flat shoes and billowing skirts: Backstage, the designer talked about prioritizing comfort.

Streetwise Notes, Couture Hands

Accessories revisited house hits — think the City and Rodeo bags — alongside fresh shapes like a bowler-inspired style with buckled BB monogram. Leather layers and experimental tops hinted at a bolder edge: a flash of midriff here, a deep V-slit there. The effect felt like a dialogue with Demna’s viral streetwear era, reinterpreted through Piccioli’s calmer, couture-minded gaze.

Piccioli's finesse on the Balenciaga runway — There was an unavoidable finesse in Piccioli’s first collection for Balenciaga…

Balenciaga returns to elegant roots — … that seemed to take the Paris-based luxury brand back to its elegant roots.

Color, With Feeling

True to his signatures, Piccioli threaded in electric accents — violet, cyan, sunlit highlighter yellow — against a refined neutral palette. It recalled his Valentino years, when vibrant color became emotion, not trend. If you loved the era of vivid pink on every red carpet, you’ll recognize the same fearless joy in hue here.

Cocoon shapes referencing Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy — Cocoon shapes referenced the balloon jacket and “sack” dress introduced by the founder Cristóbal Balenciaga in the 1950s.

Vibrant colors as a Piccioli signature — And while much homage was paid to his predecessors, Piccioli also leaned into his signatures, like vibrant colors.

Womenswear, Elevated and Easeful

This debut focused solely on womenswear, spotlighting Piccioli’s instincts as a modern couturier. The spirit felt aligned with the house’s founder, Cristóbal Balenciaga — a devotion to how clothing makes a woman feel, not just how it looks. The roster of muses past and present — from Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn to contemporary icons like Isabelle Huppert — hovered like a quiet chorus.

Piccioli receives a standing ovation — As Piccioli took his bow, he received a standing ovation from the audience, which included some of his family members on the front row.

The Lightness of Structure

Fabric innovation did the heavy lifting — and then refused to feel heavy. Piccioli revived gazar, a silk or wool textile developed for Balenciaga in the late 1950s and known for its paradox: strong architectural hold with remarkable lightness. The result was sculpture without burden, supported by flat, Y-strap footwear that kept the stride free and unforced.

Why This Moment Matters

Balenciaga enters this era amid industry headwinds for parent company Kering, with new group CEO Luca de Meo tasked with steering the ship. Piccioli’s debut — thoughtful, feminine, and historically fluent — reads as a confident reset. It’s the kind of refinement that doesn’t whisper or shout; it simply feels right.

Runway Highlights Our Beauty-Obsessed Readers Will Love

Ultra-cocoon tailoring: Rounded lines that flatter without constricting.
Weightless volume: Gazar gives gowns sculptural grace with airy comfort.
Color therapy: Saturated brights that energize even the simplest look.
Modern heirlooms: City and Rodeo bags, refreshed for now with BB hardware.
Effortless footwear: Chic flats with Y-straps that extend the line of the leg.

A Final Note

Fashion moves quickly, but elegance lingers. Piccioli’s Balenciaga brings us back to the beauty of thoughtful design — clothes that honor the body, the archive, and the woman wearing them.

Ready to bring this sensibility into your routine? Explore color with intention, choose structure that feels weightless, and let your beauty rituals tell a story of ease and devotion. Meet me inside Malibu Elixir’s world — let’s curate your most confident, luminous season together.