Fash pt2
Post: fashion pt2
Hiyah
Thanks for checking back in, as said last week this is a small one on the recent Paris Fashion Week Balenciaga show…Feel that I need a declaring of interest here of my love for Balenciaga and for Demna its seemingly in all that they do. I am loving the new stuff but alas I’m still grounded in the ‘want to be different but don’t want to be seen, dressing my age aesthetic and I’m incredibly surrounded by those uncultured mobs out there, I mean can you imagine what the ignorant reflect bib mob would say…then I’ll say something witty/cutting…they respond with violence…then it’ll end up in another fight and then…well not again hey…
Anyways back to the subject…do feel the need to put in a little clause here that, yes, I know that I’m not qualified enough but that does not mean I’m automatically setting myself up for ridicule/derisively/disparaging comments…again I say it tis my space and if I’d like to try and add something to culture, which I hope this adds some value, and/or gives something, then I should. As my therapist says if you don’t do it now, then when will you?
Should also state that obvs I wasn’t there in person so have relied on the live feeds from the official site, imagine being there, maybe one day, nervously then here we go then with my little 629wrd contribution:
Balenciaga Summer 24:
Show opened powerfully with a very intense piece read by Isabelle Hubbert in French of the instructions on how to make a jacket, which also formed part of the invites too…then we were treated to vast panning panoramic of the darkened Les Invalides space, kitted out in red velvet curtains and red catwalk it’s a beautiful, theatrical backdrop, soundtracked by BFRND’S techno overlay, the occasional flash lighting up arrivals as they appeared, spotted a few faces Kris, Paris, PP Krit in the lucky assembled.
Show start, as ever there is always so much thought put into these collection but usually there’s a twist with Balenciaga, that’s part of the reason I love its oeuvre so much. Leading the Summer 24 is Demna’s mother, as previously said he’s had such a horrible year, so the return to the family is a return to a warmth only they can give. This show was to be a tribute to the crafting the garments (which he does so well) then who better to exemplify that support than to turn to people that support you the most to show the clothes. Many of the models were a mixture of people that have been important to him through his life and career, there are too many to list, but I absolutely love the details that it opened with his mother and closed with his husband. What an inspiring way to construct a show. Hoping that from here he can feel the support/love in the room for him and build from…
In total there were 88 looks which by any stretch is a large show…yet each one seems to craft a different look; exceptional pieces being shared between looks…Notables prints with the “See Now Buy Now” and the empty ‘no’ symbol both being eminently wearable as is the reworking of ubiquitous ‘Bs’ with new typeface and styling. Sure the connoisseurs will roll their collective eyes at that, but wearability included in with the statement pieces makes for such a significant show. I personally feel that this Summer 24 collection is much more successful blend of the different attributes that you want to apply to Balenciaga, as well as the confrontational pieces, all the looks contribute to a beautifully balanced mix of function/desirability/collectability/comment/symbolism.
I’ve always adored the Balenciaga way of the deconstructing/reconstruction especially when reshaping items, this show took that journey one step further again with sizing, shoulder pads, fits and cuts. The new Cargo sneaker will get a lot of press, I hope that the upcycled section of dress/trouser/skirts does too, as it gives more than just a superficial nod to sustainability, exemplified by the bathrobes as coats using LUNAFORM™ a lower-impact leather alternative, a first and exclusive to Balenciaga. Which yet again makes Demna’s Balenciaga contribute to the conversations, it will be intriguing to hear what the future ones surrounding this will go like…
Also wowed by the shoes as clutch bags, the purses with passports/tickets details, the combination of jean/combat in one and probs a million other details that I’ll spot when I see the pieces in person. Speaking of which, on a much more personal note based in my perspective as my memories of a working phtgrphr, I absolute loved the bags with the produce product shots, the amount of times I’ve done similar, if only I’d have known that one day they could feature like that…I also loved the blinks in the opening sequence with the occasional flashlight lit up someone spectacular as they appeared, reminds me so much of flash in clubs and which I have a large set of pictures from which I really appreciate.
Overall a remarkable show, loaded with love yet coupled with a hugely valid selection of clothes for all the fascinating things in life.
Exceptional work.
Leave you with the standout Quote from an interview on demnagram:
“…You still like the confrontation though…
Well yeh but what is life without that? It is a lie…”
Thank you for reading this with kind eyes, and for your continued support.
Did an gif and a piece too…not sure how I work with other peoples images…hope it’s ok with the copyright holders.
Ciao Bella.