- See ya later Sk8er girl? Lavigne cut an unlikely figure at Paris Fashion Week’s Louboutin, Elie Saab and Stella McCartney shows – and was then spotted kissing Kylie Jenner’s ex, Tyga
- The millennial punk rock princess has gone through multiple style evolutions, but is today embracing luxury designers like Versace, Vivienne Westwood, and Balmain – who’d have thought?
Here’s something we never thought we’d write – Avril Lavigne dominated the style game at this year’s Paris Fashion Week. Whilst the punk rocker isn’t typically associated with luxury fashion events, Lavigne is proving to us once again that she isn’t afraid to experiment when it comes to her ever-eclectic wardrobe.
Avril Lavigne at a Christian Louboutin event in March. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
Between February 27 and March 7, the noughties-era Canadian pop icon turned heads at events for a string of top brands, from Courrèges, Christian Louboutin and Elie Saab, to Yohji Yamamoto and Stella McCartney.
And before the long week of shows came to an end, the “Girlfriend” singer broke the internet when she and Kylie Jenner’s ex Tyga, seemingly confirmed their relationship with a great big smooch – and plenty of PDA – at the Mugler x Hunter Schafer party on Monday.
It must be love at first sight – Lavigne only broke off her engagement to Mod Sun just months before. Clearly, her bold, daring fashion style is reflective of her personality.
Avril Lavigne wearing Versace in July 2022. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
So with all eyes on the style maverick who lives up to her “Anything But Ordinary” song title, let’s look back at how Miss Lavigne went from punk princess to a luxury fashion queen …
Skater chick
Avril Lavigne at the 2002 VMAs. Photo: @avrillavigne_tw/Instagram
When Lavigne, now 38, released her debut studio album Let Go in 2002, fans fell in love with her gothic, bad girl vibe and apparently effortless ability to channel teenage angst into redemptive pop-punk music. Songs like “I’m with You”, “Complicated” and “Things I’ll Never Say” became instant hits and at just 17 years old, it was clear that she was destined for a path of stardom.
Avril Lavigne poses for photographers during the Radio Music Awards Monday, in 2003 at the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: AP
Forget dresses during this era though. Ever the tomboy, Lavigne’s ensembles, on red carpets and in music videos, would often consist of cropped tanks, baggy trousers, fingerless gloves, and the like.
Pink princess
Avril Lavigne during her Best Damn Thing album era. Photo: @BestAvrilpics/Twitter
By the time Lavigne released her third album, 2007’s The Best Damn Thing, she replaced her chestnut-brown hair with a pink and blonde overhaul.
Gone were the oversized shirts and pants, as Lavigne made room for fuschia, sparkly alternatives in her wardrobe.
Avril Lavigne arrives to the launch party for her new album, Goodbye Lullaby, in New York, in March 2011. Photo: AP
Whilst many were surprised with this dramatic transformation, the songstress had entered her early 20s by now and her music was also evolving, as she brought more upbeat, energetic tunes to match her equally vibrant outfits. The overarching punk rock vibe was not completely lost, though.
Glam goddess
Avril Lavigne at the UNICEF Masquerade Ball in 2019. Photo: @ALavignePhil/Twitter
Lavigne’s wardrobe remained pretty consistent for the early 2010s, but two albums later, when Head Above Water came out in 2019, she ushered in a new wave of glamour looks that were a far cry from anything she’d worn before.
Canadian singer Avril Lavigne arrives for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in April 2022. Photo: AFP
But, from futuristic shiny disco ball at the UNICEF Masquerade Ball to (later, in 2022) a sweet ruffled gown at the Grammys, Lavigne still brings a hint of her goth/punk roots to whatever she wears.
Avril Lavigne at the Juno Awards in May 2022. Photo: @TheJUNOAwards/Twitter
A new era – luxury icon?
Clearly, she’s been having fun since. As seen on the “Hot” star’s Instagram page, the 38-year-old is bringing her style game up a notch by working with a multitude of luxury fashion brands. Here’s some of our favourite looks below:
Vivienne Westwood
Avril Lavigne wearing Vivienne Westwood in July 2022. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
Considering their mutual love for punk rock, tartan and fearlessness, it’s no surprise that Lavigne often opts for Vivienne Westwood ensembles. The British designer passed away in December last year, but Lavigne has been a regular supporter of the brand for ages.
Bold Versace
Avril Lavigne in August 2022. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
Recently, Lavigne has been working with Versace a lot.
Avril Lavigne wearing Versace in September 2022. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
And it seems the move is to go all out in revealing designer gear – and the singer isn’t afraid to flaunt some curves in the process.
Balmain
Avril Lavigne wearing Balmain on January 2. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
The “Nobody’s Home” singer was nearly unrecognisable in this Matrix-esque look she donned in early 2023.
Hello, Paris Fashion Week!
Few style reports from this past Paris Fashion Week have failed to mention Lavigne’s presence – her appearance at such events is rare and almost unheard of until recently. In celebration of a new A-lister in the style set, here’s some of the top looks we clocked.
Vetements
Avril Lavigne attending Paris Fashion Week. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
She suited up in this sleek look from Vetements in her first social media teaser in the French capital.
Christian Louboutin
Avril Lavigne celebrating 30 years of the iconic red sole with Christian Louboutin in Paris this month. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
The punk princess showed us how to rock classy and edgy at the same time as she turned up for Christian Louboutin’s event at Paris Fashion Week.
Elie Saab
Avril Lavigne at Elie Saab’s show at Paris Fashion Week in March. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
Lavigne brought back some of her cute, early-2010s feminine energy in this elegant floral-embossed black leather dress and matching dress, at the Elie Saab presentation.
Lanvin
Avril Lavigne arrives for the Lanvin autumn/winter 2023-24 ready-to-wear collection presented on March 5, in Paris. Photo: AP
The “I’m With You” star was the centre of attention in her floor-length coat at Lanvin’s show, where she sat with A-listers like Halsey and Victoria’s Secret model Josephine Skriver.
Stella McCartney
Avril Lavigne at the Stella McCartney Paris Fashion Week show in March. Photo: @avrillavigne/Instagram
In her most recent PFW post, Lavigne ignited her inner goth with an oversized graphic tee and oversized furry jacket with thigh-high boots, at the Stella McCartney show. The singer even sat front row at the event with Jessica Alba.
As the singer-songwriter enters a bold new chapter of luxury fashion looks, still injected with her signature punk rock edge, we’re here for the show – and as Lavigne herself would put it, “here’s to never growing up”.