Balenciaga's return to the runway this spring was quiet. Fortuitously, it seems, as the world goes crazy these days over just about everything muted and more subtle, from quiet quitting to quiet luxury. But anyone who knows Balenciaga well enough would recognise the trademarks of Demna's design embedded in this latest collection, brought to life on Paris' famed Avenue George V. Oversized silhouettes and exquisite draping in the form of larger-than-life puffer jackets, motorcycle leathers and sweatpants stomp down the street - this is a collection made for people on the run, who know who they are and where they're going.
Or do they? Models in the brand's digital presentation appear to be lost in rush hour, with one character clad in a raincoat rushing back in to the Balenciaga-branded building to retrieve their keys, or wallet, or maybe their phone. Another is just trying to catch a cab, presumably rushing to get to work on time. Realistically speaking, these characters are all of us struggling just to get through the week - and these clothes have been designed with us in mind. In fact, the accessories are the highlight of the collection, taking everyday objects and putting a quintessentially Balenciaga absurdist spin on them - wrap skirts are cleverly reimagined as towels we wear fresh out of the shower; grocery bags are reinvented as typical string market bags blinged out with rhinestones.
Read ahead to see all the looks from the Balenciaga Spring 2024 collection.
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