Balenciaga's Fall/Winter 2024 Haute Couture Show Brings Meditative Focus to Textile
Choosing to present the collection inside the building on George Avenue 10 following a long-standing tradition, Balenciaga's Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024 show brings a quiet, gentle and somewhat meditative focus to creating shapes with textile.
In a striking departure from the vibrant, techno-infused atmosphere characteristic of previous shows, Balenciaga's latest presentation invited guests to relax in a garment factory setting, serenaded by soothing, meditative melodies. This serene backdrop offered a fascinating contrast to the high-fashion creations on display, reflecting the season's exhilarating focus on high-end tailoring—especially poignant as the excitement builds for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Balenciaga's collection emerged as a gentle, melodious ode designed to soothe and heal the souls of busy fashionistas. Alongside A-list celebrities like PP Krit, THE BOYZ's Juyeon, Nicole Kidman, and Michelle Yeoh, designer Demna also welcomed goth, skater, and metalhead music groups to the front row, noting, "They bring important influences to my fashion language."
The collection masterfully wove together personal identity and brand heritage, drawing inspiration from the era of Cristóbal Balenciaga. Signature oversized cocoon shapes, half-length sleeves, voluminous jackets, and oversized hats showcased the brand’s classic forms and innovative spirit. A standout piece—a dress crafted from 47 meters of nylon to emulate gazar fabric—epitomized this blend, completed in just 30 minutes and disassembled in 30 seconds. Demna's commitment to perfection and expressive technique elevates his work to art.
Innovative materials featured prominently on the runway, including recycled fabric, foil, hair, and faux fur. A cobalt blue jacket made from wig material, hand-shaped and dyed by stylist Gary Gill, took two months to create. The collection also showcased collaborations with artists, blending street fashion and high-end tailoring. Artist Ni Hao contributed a hand-sewn T-shirt encased in resin, Alastair Gibson employed micro carbon fiber techniques, and Yumi Okita crafted a meticulously hand-embroidered butterfly mask.
This collection became a "healing" highlight amid the hectic Paris fashion schedule, presenting traditional tailoring infused with new techniques and materials in a gentle, cozy display at Balenciaga's George V Avenue headquarters. The harmonious fusion of serene ambiance and avant-garde fashion underscored Balenciaga's enduring legacy and innovative vision.
