MAGIC SPELL: Incantations for Thursday afternoon’s torrential downpour to cease ahead of Rick Owens’ show outside the Palais de Tokyo apparently worked. As the guests sidestepped the puddles to reach their seats, as many sporting waterproof capes as Owens’ signature dramatic looks, the sun miraculously came out from behind the clouds like a positive omen.
Among the guests was Cardi B, sporting a sharp-shouldered ensemble in brown and taupe wool by the designer. She was as pleased as everyone else about the end to the downpour, which had been forecast with storm warnings across much of France.
“I didn’t even know it was outside, so when I walked in here, I was like, wow, look at that, the sun is out. It’s been raining all day!” she said. “It’s beautiful.”
Did the rapper, who has been a fixture on several front rows so far this Paris Fashion Week as well as at the Balmain after-party Wednesday evening, have any tips for staying stylish in the rain? “Keep your head down so the rain don’t hit your makeup,” she advised, hiding her lowered face behind her woolen-gloved hands to demonstrate.
While Cardi B had not been aware of the outdoor venue of the show, those in the know, including Michèle Lamy, had been praying for the break in the weather. “It’s amazing that we have sun for a few minutes,” said Lamy, raising her eyes to the sky as if in thanks.
As guests took their seats, staff swept excess water off the runway before Owens’ army of models made their way down the stairs and around the venue’s massive water feature to the sound of a classical score.
Later, as afternoon turned into evening, the heavens opened once more.
