At approximately 3pm yesterday, our timelines practically imploded. With exaggerated court heels strutting across fresh cream carpets and moody tunes emanating from boxy handbags, every fashion lover out there stopped to watch Balenciaga’s 51st Couture Collection come to life — not least due to its star-studded cast of models. Acting as a seamless continuation of Balenciaga’s legacy, the collection embraces technology as a means of innovation: challenging the conventional boundaries of accessories while staying true to the traditional techniques synonymous with the House.
Comprised of an array of long-hemmed dresses, asymmetric capes and gathered skirts, the collection looks to natural sources to create unconventional textures. Contrasting raw edges with meticulous embroidery, cut silk with avant-garde silhouettes, the capsule effortlessly captures the spirit of transformation. Speaking to this narrative, over a quarter of the collection was constructed with up-cycled items. Whether it be neglected vintage bombers, parkas or jeans, the House turns the ordinary into a staple of its own — reconstructing antique wristwatches into statement chokers, repurposing wallets and belts as intricate yet eye-catching patchworks.