The iconic Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, France, has become a maze for creative director Demna Gvasalia, who chose this place to present the Fall/Winter 2025 collection for the brand Balenciaga, as part of Paris Fashion Week , France.
For many, the collection was not a shocker. But upon closer inspection, the AW2025 collection was a masterclass in the brand’s core identity, taken through the lens of everyday wardrobe and elevated to new heights.
In today’s hyper-fashion landscape, designers often chase spectacle and push boundaries to create buzz. But the real challenge lies in distilling a brand’s DNA into wearable pieces. CR Fashion Book notes that this is a feat Demna accomplished this season.
Balenciaga introduces new collection in a dark maze (Editor: Lam Phuong).
Labyrinth Runway
This season, creative director Demna turned the traditional catwalk upside down, erasing the industry’s inherent notion of hierarchy by creating a labyrinthine runway. According to the show notes, the seating chart was reversed so everyone sat in the front row. This way, all guests could get an unobstructed view of the house’s latest collection.
The show attracted many stars, including Romeo Beckham (son of soccer player David Beckham), supermodel Tyra Banks, actress Jessica Alba, model Vittoria Ceretti... (Photo: Just Jared).
Guests weaved through winding, curtained hallways to find their seats. Many of the hallways were narrow, dark, and so close to the audience that long fur coats and down jackets could brush past people’s shoes.
Vogue Arabia commented that the symmetrical maze with two paths is both a metaphor for the creative process and a means of breaking the usual flow of a fashion show.
Specifically, this runway is a metaphor for the idea that "There is no single approach to design, but rather a multitude of ways", especially in transforming the mundane into something extraordinary in the everyday wardrobe (Photo: Balenciaga).
Redefining the standard
The Fall/Winter 2025 collection featured a total of 80 looks on the darkened runway, including many Demna pieces that drew inspiration from the company’s core. Viewers were treated to several different chapters in the show, from workwear, sportswear, leisurewear to eveningwear – the tenets of the modern wardrobe.
The show opened with perfectly tailored workwear, while also showcasing Demna’s take on the brand’s everyday suits. One standout was a grey striped suit, with a moth-eaten surface, full of tiny holes and distortions (Photo: Umberto Fratini, Balenciaga, Highsnobiety, Acielle).
The formality of these designs fades with each outfit, giving way to more whimsical looks. For example, the model wears a polo shirt, trousers and a motorcycle helmet (a collaboration between Balenciaga and Alpinestars).
You can see these styles on the street. But Demna infused them with his expertise and technique, giving them a unique twist. In addition, floor-length dresses - a symbol of formality - were designed on neon nylon (Photo: Umberto Fratini, Balenciaga).
Combined with Puma sportswear
Hours before the show, the fashion house posted on social media several images of the products it was about to launch, including creations in collaboration with Puma.
It was no surprise when the duo unveiled the German sportswear company’s beloved Speedcat. Compared to the regular version, the Speedcat from the Fall/Winter 2025 collection has a longer upper. On the runway, the red ripped shoe also appeared in black, white and navy.
In addition, the two brands also introduced nylon sweatpants, fleece pants and zip-up jackets, Puma coats, leather jackets, plastic-style Marché bags and hats (Photo: Umberto Fratini).
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/doc-la-balenciaga-romeo-beckham-va-tat-ca-khach-moi-deu-duoc-ngoi-hang-dau-20250311162845757.htm
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