Cardi B Makes Runway Debut in Bright Blue Faux Fur Coat at L.A. Balenciaga Street Show

December 14, 2023

Cardi B can check runway debut off her bucket list.

The rapper, 31, walked her first catwalk in Los Angeles on Saturday as part of Balenciaga’s pre-fall 2024 show. She wore a bright blue faux fur off the shoulder coat with a bustier bodysuit underneath — though the fluffy oversized coat was the main look on display. Cardi also had some impressive bling on as she nailed her first runway, with a set of diamond studs, a diamond ring and a flashy diamond chain with the brand’s logo around her neck.

Her hair was slicked back and sat behind her in a lengthy ponytail, and she paired a bold dark red lip with a dramatic cat-eye look.  

The show — the Paris-based fashion house’s first since its controversial holiday campaign in 2022 — took place on a shut-down street in the city’s Hancock Park area. The palm-tree lined road was perfectly perpendicular to the Hollywood sign, giving the models an incredible backdrop as they showcased the casual and cozy streetwear-inspired collection. 

Reflecting on the exciting moment, Cardi shared a photo on X (formerly known as Twitter) of herself walking the runway which she jokingly captioned: “On my way to chic fil A!”

Though Saturday marked Cardi B’s runway debut, her husband, Offset, has walked a Balenciaga catwalk before. At Paris Fashion Week in 2021, the Migos rapper, 31, was dressed in head-to-toe Balenciaga as he walked in the brand’s Spring/Summer 2022 show.

She shared her love for her husband on Instagram following the show, writing at the time, “So proud of my husband @offsetrn who walked the show!”

Cardi B wears a bright blue faux fur jacket as she walks in Balenciaga’s Fall 2024 show in L.A.

Taylor Hill/Getty 


Saturday’s show was a star-studded event with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman and Salma Hayek in attendance to see designer Demna’s creations, which were a creative take on L.A. fashion codes including activewear, grunge and eveningwear. 

The show also featured limited-release items, including totes and clothing made in collaboration with the organic retailer Erewhon and jewelry made in collaboration with Jacob & Co.

A longtime Balenciaga fan and an ambassador for nearly two years, Kardashian, 43, channeled the brand’s edgy vibes as she wore nude lace leggings with a nude high-deck top and a black Balenciaga logo jacket. She accessorized her outfit with black visor shades and a wet hair look — and she gave Cardi B a sweet shoutout on her Instagram Story as she watched the rapper walk down the runway.

Hayek, 57, brought a pop of color to the event as she wore neon pink heels and a neon pink bag with a black dress, black shades and sparkly silver drop earrings. 

Kidman opted for an all-black Balenciaga look for the show as she wore a black double-breasted dress with black tights, heels and gloves. 

The actress, 56, was just named the newest ambassador for the brand, and said she’s “excited” to get to work.

“Balenciaga has been with me through some of the most memorable events in my life, from my wedding to the Oscars red carpet,” she said in a press release, adding that she’s looking forward to “creating more memories together.”

Cardi B walks the runway down South Windsor Boulevard during the Balenciaga Fall 2024 fashion show in L.A.

Taylor Hill/Getty 


Saturday’s Balenciaga show was Demna’s first event back in the spotlight since the brand’s “Gift Collection” campaign last year sparked backlash across the internet due to its controversial imagery.

Advertising images for two different campaigns were criticized for sexualizing children as one showed kids holding teddy bears dressed in leather bondage gear, and another “office” themed ad involved a reference to a Supreme Court case on child porn.

The campaigns were quickly taken down by the brand, which issued a statement and said they “sincerely apologize for any offense” the images caused. Balenciaga also filed a lawsuit against the production company that handled the campaign as it claimed “omissions” by the company led to the images being so criticized. 

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The brand’s longtime creative director eventually issued a statement owning the decision and apologizing for all of the chaos it caused. 

“I want to personally apologize for the wrong artistic choice of concept … and I take my responsibility,” he wrote in a statement shared on social media. “As much as I would sometimes like to provoke a thought through my work, I would NEVER have an intention to do that with such an awful subject as child abuse that I condemn. I need to learn from this, listen and engage with child protection organizations to know how I can contribute and help on this terrible subject.” 

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