The Duchess of Sussex’s Paris Fashion Week appearance draws criticism over her support for the brand once accused of exploiting children.
Meghan Markle’s first appearance at Paris Fashion Week has sparked outrage among fans and critics alike.
The Duchess of Sussex attended Balenciaga’s shows over the weekend, wearing a white cape tunic for one event and a sleek black gown for another. Later, she shared her gratitude to the brand on Instagram, thanking Balenciaga for the invitation.
According to her spokesperson, the 44-year-old royal attended the shows to support her friend Pierpaolo Piccioli, who took over as Balenciaga’s Creative Director in July.
However, many online were quick to call her attendance “tone-deaf,” citing Balenciaga’s 2022 scandal involving ads that featured children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage-style accessories.
“The ‘duchess’ of hypocrisy—defending children while supporting a brand that exploited them,” one social media user wrote, according to Page Six. Another commented, “No mother should be promoting that brand.”
Balenciaga apologised for the campaign and later dropped a $25 million lawsuit against the producers behind it, but the controversy continues to shadow the fashion house.
Even Kim Kardashian, who became a Balenciaga ambassador in 2024, has faced harsh criticism for maintaining ties with the brand despite her earlier condemnation.
For Meghan, whose public image has often centred on advocacy and compassion, her Paris Fashion Week debut may have been meant as a show of solidarity with a friend—but for many, it raised difficult questions about judgment and consistency.
