Balenciaga took Paris Fashion Week by storm with their groundbreaking runway show, which featured a premiere for a fashion short starring iconic characters from The Simpsons. The cartoon depicted Homer taking Marge to Paris to purchase a Balenciaga gown for her birthday, with an appearance by fashion royalty Anna Wintour in the front row. What made this show truly unique was the inclusion of the audience members themselves, who were projected onto a massive screen inside the Théâtre du Châtelet where the event was held.
The audience consisted of a diverse mix of fashion victims, editors, influencers, and even a few regular civilians, all eager to show off their style for the cameras before a flurry of photographers. As the models strutted down the runway, which was adorned with a vibrant red wall, the attention seemed to shift towards the performance art aspect of the show rather than the actual clothing. However, glimpses of the collection showcased impressive designs with unconventional camera angles and clever editing. Despite the pouring rain outside, the thousands of enthusiastic fans in attendance cheered and applauded the arrivals and departures throughout the event.
This show is part of a growing trend of fashion brands taking their shows to the streets, embracing a more accessible and democratic approach to Fashion Week. Balmain and Valentino have also joined in on this movement, although it’s not an entirely new concept. Two decades ago, Imitation of Christ staged a show in a cinema where guests had to make a charitable contribution to gain entry. The entire show, along with the audience’s reactions, was recorded and shown on a time-lapse inside the cinema, delighting viewers.
Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection, curated by creative director Demna Gvasalia, showcased the brand’s signature evocative and voluminous fashion. The collection featured grand gangster suits in serge with chalk and grandad stripes, demonstrating Gvasalia’s skill in playing with proportions. Black was predominantly used throughout the collection, deviating from the colorful and vibrant designs often seen on social media platforms like Instagram. Gvasalia’s understanding of proportion can be traced back to his youth as a refugee in Mitteleuropa, where oversized tailored clothing became a statement among slender youngsters.
Throughout the show and the accompanying film, guests and fans inside the venue cheered and showed their unwavering support and enthusiasm for Gvasalia’s work. The fashion designer himself took a brief bow alongside Balenciaga’s owner, François-Henri Pinault, and CEO Cédric Charbit, receiving an outpouring of applause from the crowd. Charbit praised Gvasalia’s creativity, describing him as a genius, and emphasized the collaborative efforts of the entire team in bringing Gvasalia’s imaginative ideas, such as working with The Simpsons, to life.
In conclusion, Balenciaga’s red carpet show at Paris Fashion Week was far more than a traditional runway presentation. It was an immersive experience that seamlessly blended fashion, performance art, and animation. Demna Gvasalia’s unique talent for playing with proportions and his ability to elevate black as a hip and essential color were apparent in this collection. The event generated excitement and support from fans and industry insiders alike, cementing Balenciaga’s reputation as a brand that consistently pushes boundaries and showcases innovation and creativity in the fashion world.
Useful Links:
1. Vogue – Balenciaga Spring 2022 Ready-to-Wear Collection
2. Business of Fashion – Inside the Dynamic Duo of Demna Gvasalia and Valentino and Jerry Lorenzo’s Balenciaga x Berluti
