Brand storms onto scene
Dramatic backdrop of downpour sees Balenciaga models set the climate, He Qi reports in Shanghai.
Standout pieces
From everyday wear to evening dress, the Spring 2025 show featured the full gamut of Demna's signature designs, from broad-shouldered suits, oversized leather jackets, shirt dresses, brightly colored printed dresses and distressed denim, to form-fitting bodysuits, oversized trench coats, sequined evening gowns, visually deceptive sock boots, asymmetric bucket hats, and chunky statement footwear.
Balenciaga always carries a hidden sense of playfulness. Intentionally torn stockings no longer made people feel embarrassed, and "fake two-piece" jeans were introduced to make the trend of low-slung jeans revealing the wearer's underwear more comfortable.
White evening gowns resembling delicate tissue paper up close and pink feather haute couture dresses, which upon closer inspection reveal their innovative construction from recycled ocean plastics, took center stage.
Among the standout pieces were a cocoon-shaped dress crafted from upcycled travel bags, a shimmering gold foil skirt evoking the elegance of gift wrapping, and a luxurious black velvet skirt inspired by the opulence of jewelry boxes.
These creations harmoniously weaved together classical and contemporary aesthetics in a mesmerizing display where environmental sustainability converged with cutting-edge fashion design.
In the end, there was no traditional curtain call. The models did not walk back onto the runway, but instead disappeared into the distance of the art museum one by one. Each model left behind a large silhouette, resembling a puppet on a huge screen.
