The anticipated arrival of Colombian musician Maluma and K-pop star Vernon of Seventeen brought scores of screaming fans to the Jardin du Palais Royal, blocking traffic and causing chaos, even though security tried to corral people behind barriers.
“It’s such a beautiful thing. You know I’m coming all the way from Colombia till here. It’s been a beautiful journey to get to here and just to show my culture [and] all the things that we are,” said Maluma. “It’s such an honor to be part of this amazing movement.”
He teased a new song imminently.
“’Contrato,’ my new song is going to be out tonight,” he said. He walked toward the barriers to wave at fans and throw peace signs. With Google turning up empty on any impending releases, maybe he spoiled the surprise drop a few hours early.
Inside wasn’t much better, with front row guests squeezed between the seats and the garden’s famous fountain as photographers scrambled to take pics.
Seventeen’s Vernon was the main attraction, with the K-pop star sitting calmly in the center of the storm as photographers — and plenty of security guards — swirled about like storm clouds. He wore a denim suit complete with a kimono vest and Noragi jacket.
Juliette Binoche is a fan of the blended culture fashion at Kenzo, though it was her first time at a show.
“I’m very excited to see it in real [life]. I think it’s full of colors and makes the link between the Asian world and the Western world. I think it’s beautiful,” she said.
The actress is working on organizing a new personal project. “I’m putting together a documentary on a dance show I did with Akram Khan a while ago,” she said.
That project was 2008’s “In-I,” which explored an impulsive act she committed at age 14, with music from Philip Shepherd, sets by Anish Kapoor and costumes by the late Alber Elbaz.
More recently, she played Coco Chanel in Apple TV+’s “The New Look” series, about the life of Christian Dior, and is waiting on word about the fate of the show. “We’ll see in a few days if it’s happening, and I’m hoping and it should happen. The announcement should happen in a few days,” she said of a possible second series.
Brothers and Clipse group members No Malice and Pusha T hung out together front row. They’re long time friends of Kenzo creative director Nigo.
“I always, always support Nigo, always support everything he’s done over the years,” said T. “It’s like a family reunion.”
Models walked ever so slowly around the fountain in a collection full of Nigo’s signature Japanese shapes mixed with embroidered varsity jackets for men, and looks in chartreuse, sherbet and citrus colors that went heavy on the fringe for women.
The designer had his supporters: Louis Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell Williams, who showed a polished collection Tuesday night, gave a one-man standing ovation for his longtime friend and collaborator.
