Demna’s tenure at the house of Balenciaga has certainly been one for the ages. From his viral campaign imagery to ironic products, the Georgian creative director has certainly had a penchant for the unconventional, constantly pushing the boundaries of what constitutes as luxury and with it ushering in a cult following like no other. His fall/winter 2024 collection last season was no exception, as Demna looked to explore the relationship and narrative between actual and artificial.
Held at the famed Hôtel des Invalides, the show played off themes of sci-fi futurism and dystopia, with a reiteration of house codes in the form of reconstructed hoodie dresses, elongated capes and upcycled backpacks. This was quickly followed by the brand’s cruise 2025 show, where attendees were perched on a rooftop in Shanghai overlooking the city’s skyline. Oversized tailoring and leather co-ords summed up the collection, punctuated by towering platform boots that measured a whopping 18 centimetres in height.
As for what one can expect in the upcoming show? Apart from the celebrity appearances of ambassadors Kim Kardashian, Michelle Yeoh , Nicole Kidman and PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn, one can presumably look forward to dramatic silhouettes, playful deconstruction and a level of controlled chaos. And if this collection is anything like seasons past, expect underlying forms of commentary on modern consumerism and the world we live in. With the show slated to unfurl in Paris early tomorrow morni.