Avengers, assemble!

Gigi Hadid, with an assist from sister Bella, have proven themselves to be the true superheroes of fashion week after they saved the Chanel show from a YouTube prankster who stormed the runway.

Up until that point, the Chanel show had been running like clockwork. The collection, by designer Virginie Viard, was all about elegant, understated Parisian glamour staged on a set fashioned to look like a Haussmannian rooftop. The inspiration, according to Viard, was “Kristen Stewart playing Jean Seberg and all the actresses Gabrielle Chanel dressed at the time”. 

Gigi appeared on the runway in a pair of louche black hotpants over opaque tights accessorised with a gold camellia belt. For the finale, Gigi took up residence on one of the set’s balconies, leaning on a balustrade and looking wistfully into the distance. It was then that YouTube comedian Marie Benoliel, alias Marie S’Infiltre, stood up from her seat and stormed onto the catwalk to walk the finale alongside the other models.

Benoliel made it all the way down the runway before a pair of security guards began bounding after her. No matter, though. Gigi was there, waiting for her, accosting her on the stage, placing a hand on her shoulder and escorting her from the set with a little help from sister Bella. Who needs a security guard when you have Gigi Hadid? 

Benoliel has no beef with Gigi for removing her from the runway, though. In a new interview with TIME magazine, she explains that she understands that Gigi was dealing with her intrusion in the simplest and quickest way.

“Gigi is obviously sublime and a fashion icon,” Benoliel told TIME. “I understand her reaction somewhat and continue to love her in spite of that.”

According to the YouTuber, the decision to storm the runway was borne out of a longstanding love of the fashion brand. Benoliel even wore a vintage Chanel suit, which originally belonged to her mother, to stage her prank. “Chanel is eternal,” she explained to TIME. “My tribute was a desire to take part in this eternity for a few minutes.” 

Still, fans on social media applauded applauded Gigi’s swift response to Benoliel’s attempt to derail the finale. 

This isn’t the first time a fashion show was derailed by a rogue attendee. For the past few decades catwalks have witnessed invasions from activists, usually those attempting to protest the fashion industry’s use of fur.

Marie S’Infiltre isn’t a protestor exactly, but rather a YouTube comedian who satirically skewers the French upper class in her short form videos. No doubt there’ll be a video about her encounter with Gigi Hadid at Chanel on the Marie S’Infiltre YouTube channel shortly. 

Images: Getty