Balenciaga Drops Meghan Markle from LA Fashion Show, Sparks Controversy

Luxury fashion brand Balenciaga made waves at its fall 2024 show in Los Angeles, but not without a touch of controversy.

The iconic Hollywood sign served as the backdrop for the event, which was attended by A-list celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Ava Longoria, Nicole Kidman, and Cardi B.

However, noticeably absent from the star-studded crowd was Meghan Markle, who had recently lost her ambassador role with the brand.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Balenciaga, led by artistic director Demma since 2015, descended upon Los Angeles on December 2nd to showcase its fall 2024 men's and women's collections.

The show took place on Windsor Boulevard, with palm trees lining the runway and the famous Hollywood sign adding a touch of glamour.

Helicopters and drones buzzed overhead, while locals watched from their balconies, turning the residential neighborhood into a temporary fashion hotspot.

Among the notable attendees were newly announced brand ambassador Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek, and Cole Sprouse.

David Beckham's son, Brooklyn Beckham, and his partner Nicola Peltz also made an appearance, sporting coordinated all-black outfits.

However, one person who didn't make the guest list was Meghan Markle.

Sources close to the situation revealed that Meghan's representative, WME, had a hand in organizing events in Los Angeles but couldn't secure her participation in this particular fashion event.

While fashion shows have always been a favorite of Meghan's, she has only attended one in her life back in 2013.

It seems that Meghan's absence from the Balenciaga show was due to her lack of fashion credentials, with insiders claiming that she is more of a self-serving opportunist than a true fashionista.

Notably, Meghan had hoped to attend the fashion show as a means of boosting her image and mingling with the elite.

However, her ambitions were thwarted as she was not invited to be an ambassador for Balenciaga, unlike Nicole Kidman, who recently took on the role.

Kidman, who has a history with the brand, expressed her excitement, stating that Balenciaga had been with her through many significant moments in her life.

The absence of Meghan Markle from the Balenciaga show comes at a time when the couple's brand is facing significant challenges.

Prince Harry and Meghan have been working to rebuild their image and relaunch their brand, but it seems that their efforts may have backfired.

PR expert Edward Coram James suggests that the couple's approach has damaged their brand's reputation, leaving it with little credibility.

Adding fuel to the fire, Omid Scobie, a well-known journalist and close confidant of Meghan, recently made claims about her attempts to raise her profile before her relationship with Prince Harry became public.

Scobie alleges that Meghan visited US Weekly offices in an effort to gain exposure and create opportunities for herself in Hollywood.

While these claims have been disputed by insiders close to the Duchess, they have only added to the controversy surrounding Meghan and her actions.

As the Sussex brand continues to face scrutiny, it remains to be seen how the couple will navigate these challenges and regain public trust.

The fallout from Meghan's exclusion from the Balenciaga show is just one more hurdle they must overcome in their quest to rebuild their brand and secure a place in the world of fashion and entertainment.