A NEW CONCEPT OF COUTURE: BALENCIAGA BY DEMNA GVASALIA

However, no more techno tunes or heavy metal songs, Demna today decided to open the latest Balenciaga Couture show with a “guided meditation” soundtrack that invited guests to let go of stressful thoughts and just breathe, unwind, slow down: that might sound like an invite to reflect on the relentless and chaotic times fashion is going through.

Courtesy of Balenciaga/Vogue Runway

Courtesy of Balenciaga/Vogue Runway

Courtesy of Balenciaga/Vogue Runway

For his 4th Couture collection as a creative director of the maison, Demna took inspiration from Cristobal Balenciaga cocoon shapes making them contemporary through experiments with materials, volumes, reworked fabrics and recycled plastic bags. Every look combines tradition with innovation, old with new.

Just like the everyday objects Andy Warhol placed in his artworks, in Demna’s collection common items like t-shirts, jeans and leather jackets are elevated through the use of new shapes and techniques.

Items that usually in Couture collections are expected to look sophisticated, precious, dreamy, here are presented as a mash-up of textures, patchwork materials, unfinished garments, fabric scraps sewn together.

“I think it’s important to bring these textures into couture, so it’s not just satin and tulle, but other materials that need to become part of the couture vocabulary, at least in my work.” - said Demna to Vogue.

Courtesy of Balenciaga/Vogue Runway

Courtesy of Balenciaga/Vogue Runway

Courtesy of Balenciaga/Vogue Runway

What’s evident is that the Georgian designer, with this latest Balenciaga collection, wants to reinterpret the idea of Couture in a contemporary way and make us reflect (or meditate) about the brand new meaning of Haute Couture today.

Courtesy of Balenciaga/Vogue Runway