Princesses Maria Carolina and Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies Walk Pierre Cardin Runway

Discovered by the public in 2018 after a cult TV appearance, Princesses Maria Carolina and Maria Chiara walked the runway for Pierre Cardin on September 25th.

The Pierre Cardin fashion show took place in the heart of the 19th arrondissement of Paris, at the Espace Niemeyer, on September 25th, in front of a gathering of celebrities and influencers. Under the dome of the building, one could spot former Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere, content creator Johan Papz, and most notably, Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies and his wife, Camilla. Indeed, to celebrate his Spring-Summer 2024 collection, Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, president of the house and the couturier's great-nephew, invited Princesses Maria Carolina and Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies to walk the runway simultaneously.

Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Noto and Capri, 18 years old, presented herself in a dress inspired by the "Space Age." At the same moment, her sister Maria Carolina, 20 years old, walked onto the stage in a flowing blue dress that she playfully twirled in the air. Normally, both princesses are accustomed to sitting in the front row. Therefore, it was a significant first for these two public figures who, for one evening, tried their hand at modeling. This was an even more important moment for them as they dream of working in the fashion industry and have just graduated from the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in Paris.

The Generation Z, a new target for Pierre Cardin

Maria Chiara and her sister became publicly known in 2018 thanks to the TV show "Ça commence aujourd'hui." "I remember in Monaco, we have two very close friends of ours, once we hid behind trees, there were people passing by, and we went 'boo'," the older sister candidly recounted when asked if she ever "acted out" like any typical teenager. This moment quickly circulated on social media and became an instant cult sensation. Five years later, the video continues to circulate on TikTok.

It's not surprising, therefore, to see these two princesses walking the runway for Pierre Cardin. Since the couturier's passing in 2020, the house has been presided over by his great-nephew, Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin. While the idea is to continue the avant-garde work established by the designer, the brand also aims to reach a younger and more connected audience. "I want to address the young clientele that is increasingly turning away from uniformity," Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin told AFP earlier this year, shortly after unveiling his first collection, which marked the return of the house to the runway. While the codes remain the same, the style is being reinvented.