Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga‘s Creative director, challenged the very definition of fashion with his Fall/Winter 2024 collection. The show, a thought-provoking blend of Demna’s signature style and a commentary on our digital age, unfolded against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes that morphed into a chaotic digital overload.
Gone were the extreme oversize silhouettes that dominated recent seasons. Instead, Demna offered a more playful and personal take on fashion. The collection featured innovative garments like long dresses constructed from hoodies or t-shirts, and trenchcoats reimagined as wearable aprons. He even included a playful “Keep Calm and Wear This Balenciaga Sweater” knit, a tongue-in-cheek nod to marketing’s influence.
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Demna’s focus on self-expression extended beyond the clothes. In a pre-show voicemail, he declared creativity itself as the new form of luxury, a stark contrast to the traditional view of luxury as scarcity. He spoke of detoxing his life and rediscovering his love for fashion, a sentiment echoed in the collection’s playful spirit.
The show’s set design mirrored Demna’s exploration of creativity and reality. The initial idyllic landscapes gave way to a chaotic digital onslaught, a commentary on our society’s obsession with screens. This digital overload served as a stark contrast to the beauty of the handcrafted garments that walked the runway.
The collection culminated in a series of playful evening looks, including a cocktail dress fashioned from a boa and a dress entirely constructed from bras. Demna spoke of embracing imperfection, a sentiment reflected in these finale pieces. For Demna, it’s the imperfections that make us human, a stark contrast to the manufactured perfection of the digital world.
Read more: Vetements Fall/Winter 2024 – Paris Fashion Week
©Photo: Balenciaga
