Balenciaga’s larger than life Paris Fashion Week comeback: Kanye West, Bella Hadid and Salma Hayek got first looks at the fashion maison’s first haute couture collection in over 50 years
- Francois-Henri Pinault, the billionaire CEO of Balenciaga’s parent company Kering, attended with his Hollywood star wife
- Models showed off embellished evening gowns, loose trouser suits, dressing gown-like coats and luxurious oversized casual looks to an in-person crowd
Balenciaga presented embroidered evening gowns and luxurious oversized casual looks for its first haute couture collection in more than 50 years in Paris on Wednesday, July 7, in one of the most anticipated fashion shows of the week.
Creative director Demna Gvasalia dressed models in yellow and pink dressing gown-like coats, loose black trouser suits and embellished evening gowns. There were also voluminous satin coats and more casual looks made up of jumpers, jeans and jackets.
The designer said he had looked to the label’s Spanish founder, Cristobal Balenciaga, for inspiration, showing egg-shaped silhouettes, a draped polka dot dress in chiffon and a shantung coat embroidered with faux fur.
Accessories included large flying saucer-like hats, visor sunglasses and long gloves.
“I see it as my creative obligation to the unique heritage of M. Balenciaga to bring the couture back to his house,” Gvasalia said in show notes.