This Sunday morning, the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange was a bit unusual. It should have been a day of rest, a day for the US stock market to digest its gains, but instead, the opening bell rang unusually, and the normally bustling floor was filled with traders sitting in front of their computers. Taking a closer look, it turns out that Ye (Kanye West), Pharrell Williams, Offset, Anna Wintour, Chloe Sevigny, Cédric Charbit, and others were waiting for Balenciaga to present its latest Spring 2023 fashion show.
The fashion show featured a total of 63 looks, with all models appearing in latex bodysuits that covered their entire bodies. In an atmosphere of mystery and unease, they showcased the latest Garde-Robe and evening wear collections. Personally, I believe that ever since creative director Demna officially revived Balenciaga’s haute couture line, his inner design integrity has been released like never before. Even though the current collection is ready-to-wear, each season’s designs exude the elegance of haute couture.
“I realize we missed out on this part of the classic wardrobe,” Demna shared.
What he refers to as classics means essential pieces for every wardrobe, such as suits, coats, dresses, etc. Luxurious materials like wool, silk, tweed, and handmade denim, all echo with clean and sharp lines, then cut into oversized dropped shoulder silhouettes that Demna likes, as well as coats, tops, and dresses reshaped through minimal construction techniques. The overall feeling still has the appearance of high-end customization to a greater or lesser extent. Whether you like it or not, this has undoubtedly become the postmodern Balenciaga trend under Demna’s leadership.
Although the brand no longer distinguishes between men’s or women’s collections, Demna still can’t escape designing eveningwear that promotes feminism, creating the second element of the series. From various looks, noble elements such as sequins, skirts, pleated silk satin, silk, etc., are all present in different designs – with the silk scarf commonly seen in women’s looks being enlarged and used in several looks, providing multiple styling variations for fashion enthusiasts. Moreover, Look 33, Look 35, and Look 38 are further enhanced by Demna and stylists, with oversized silk scarves paired with double-breasted long tailored suits, enhancing a neutral appearance. Interestingly, the elegant looks mentioned above are all paired with whimsical inflatable cushion high heels, but they do not disrupt the overall feeling.
Finally, it is absolutely certain that BALENCIAGA and adidas have truly come together. No details were revealed before the exhibition, and the collaborative news was ultimately shockingly revealed by the brand in the later part of the fashion show, and as soon as it appeared, it was a familiar “Logo ambush” in Balenciaga.
In the collection, we see the “Trefoil” and “Three Stripes” logos with the BALENCIAGA touch, as well as sportswear reinterpreted and reshaped with Balenciaga’s creative techniques, such as classic tracksuits, football jerseys, boxing robes, and the symbolic Triple S sneakers representing the collaboration. Most of the collaborative items can be purchased or pre-ordered directly on Balenciaga.com after the fashion show.
The only one that was slightly overlooked by everyone, but received attention in the previous collaboration series with Gucci, is that this time no one asked which classic sports shoe styles adidas has released. However, the truth is that the series did feature a classic adidas shoe – #StanSmith.
The collaborative version finally appeared at the post-show presentation (actually, the lower silhouette of multiple styles was too long, covering the shoes), designed with a very aged treatment, from the shoe body to the laces showing a faded effect, even the leather deliberately flattened (believed to be due to the characteristics of recycled leather), while the tongue and insole of the shoe were replaced with Stan Smith printed with BALENCIAGA and adidas trefoil logo. Another masterpiece of the brand’s parent company Kering after becoming Gucci.
After the official release of the Spring 2023 collection, some selected items are now available on the Balenciaga brand’s official website. In terms of pricing, it seems to follow Balenciaga’s tradition. As for who will be the first to wear the Balenciaga adidas collection? This time it should be Ye, right?
