{"id":38511,"date":"2023-07-06T10:25:53","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T00:25:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/?post_type=articles&#038;p=235740"},"modified":"2023-07-06T09:48:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T05:48:31","slug":"balenciaga-52nd-haute-couture-collection","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/me\/articles\/balenciaga-52nd-haute-couture-collection\/","title":{"rendered":"In The Salon Of Balenciaga Couture, Demna Finds His Raison D&#8217;\u00eatre In The Art Of Dressmaking"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Balenciaga 52nd Couture Collection\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uN3-gY0-CTU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the weeks leading up to Balenciaga\u2019s 52nd Haute Couture collection, the <a href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/articles\/balenciaga-haute-couture-autumn-winter-2021\/\">third for creative director Demna<\/a> at the helm of the Maison, the incessant chatter that typically followed the brand quelled. But, it was in this silence that Demna found his strength. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermeshing <a href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/museum-fit-exhibit-cristobal-balenciaga-christian-dior\/\">Crist\u00f3bal Balenciaga\u2019s codes<\/a> with his own, Demna served a glamorous amalgam probably the closest we\u2019ve seen to quintessential couture from the designer. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, in <a href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/articles\/balenciaga-resort-2024\/\">Balenciaga\u2019s Couture salon at 10 Avenue George V<\/a>, the Georgian creative director found respite in sartorial perfection, putting his dedication to the craft of dressmaking\u2014a quality he shared with Crist\u00f3bal himself, with the latter dubbed by Coco Chanel as the \u201conly couturier in the truest sense of the word\u201d\u2014on display through a refined and austere lens. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This clarified approach from Demna was teased when Balenciaga\u2019s Fall\/Winter 2023-2024 Haute Collection invitations were sent out, before being fully realised on the runway in Demna\u2019s 59-piece collection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eschewing the viral distressed wallets and ratchet iPhone 3G invitations the brand has sent in the past, the brand delivered gold bracelets inspired by the pin cushion bracelets adorned by dressmakers in their ateliers. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The message was clear: rather than relying on the supernova power of <a href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/articles\/balenciaga-haute-couture-fall-winter-2023\/\">celebrities as models on the runway<\/a>s, grandiose mud-laden or snowstorm-esque sets or even satirical garments like a purse disguised as a chip packet, Demna\u2019s first and only priority was further exhibiting his craft as an innovative couturier. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the show notes explained, the collection was a \u201ctribute to pursuing perfection\u201d, noting, \u201cWhile true perfection is impossible, it is always in the mind of the couturier\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235749\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235749\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235749 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-55.jpg\" alt=\"Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-55\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1280\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235749\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 55. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supplanting the image of an authentic, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">true <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">couturier in our minds, Balenciaga continued the now-outdated tradition of having guests sit in reverent silence, the only sound being the wash of the garment on the carpet floor as models glided around the salon and opera singer Maria Callas. Stillness was the mode, and given Balenciaga\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecut.com\/article\/what-to-know-about-the-balenciaga-ad-scandal.html\" target=\"_blank\">recent controvers<\/a>y achieving this tranquillity and reprieve required a deft hand and self-restraint. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opening the collection was Danielle Slavik, Balenciaga\u2019s house model who worked with Crist\u00f3bal from 1964-1968, in a recreation of a black velvet dress Slavik originally wore for the house in 1966. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The off-the-shoulder evening gown featured two jet-black lacquered rosettes that sat at the scapula and a string of pearls that paid homage to the styling of Balencaiga\u2019s original gown. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dress was beloved by both Slavik, with the model telling <a href=\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/fashion-news\/designer-luxury\/what-it-was-like-to-model-for-cristobal-balenciaga-1235240621\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>WWD<\/em><\/a> in 2022 that it was her favourite in her entire modelling career, and Grace Kelly, with the late Princess of Monaco wearing the item to her 40th birthday. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, Demna\u2019s vision became explicitly clear: Demna has found his raison d&#8217;\u00eatre in the art of dressmaking, or bridging the gap between tradition, heritage, innovation and the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235741\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235741\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignfull-width size-full wp-image-235741\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-1.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-1\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1280\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235741\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 1. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suiting was a theme prominently explored, with slim-fitting tuxedos seen in the first half of the collection in both men&#8217;s and womenswear variations. Subverting the classic signatures of a night suit, Demna exaggerated proportions with protruding shoulders and structural necklines. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interspersed with typical couture gowns, like the white feathered dress worn by Amber Valetta, Demna toyed with frivolity with jovial suits and coats in trompe l&#8217;oeil denim and faux-fur fabrics.\u00a0 A puffer jacket even made an appearance, proving that Demna was exercising caution regarding rebelling against the codes of haute couture. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The back half of the collection was a love letter to the innate elegance of a perfectly crafted dress. Resembling the crepe-draped dresses presented in Balenciaga\u2019s 51st Haute Couture collection, Demna continued these silhouettes in glossy black cues and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/articles\/kim-kardashian-red-carpet-balenciaga\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gentlemen Prefer Blondes <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pink. <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The collection\u2019s pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance was a Joan of Arc-inspired byrnie dress. The billowing gown subverted the idea of a classic couture shape, instead utilising modern techniques by 3D printing the gown in galvanized resin and polished in chrome. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without saying anything, Demna conveyed that clothing is his greatest armour and his reason for being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235750\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235750\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235750 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-59.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-59\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235750\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 59. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235748\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235748\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235748 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-54.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW-23-Look-54\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235748\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 54. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235747\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235747\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235747 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-52.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-52\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235747\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 52. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235746\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235746\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235746 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-38.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-38\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235746\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 38. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235745\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235745\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235745 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-23.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-23\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235745\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 23. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235744\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235744\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235744 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-14.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-14\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235744\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 14. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235743\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235743\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235743 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-7.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-7\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235743\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 7. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_235742\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-235742\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption alignfull -width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-235742 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Balencaiga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look-3.jpg\" alt=\"Balenciaga-Haute-Couture-FW23-Look3\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-235742\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Balenciaga 52nd Haute Couture Collection. Look 3. Image via Balenciaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"author":42674,"featured_media":38512,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[65,35],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.5 (Yoast SEO v20.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Balenciaga Seeks Perfection In Their 52nd Haute Couture Show<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Balenciaga has presented a &quot;tribute to pursuing perfection&quot; for their 52nd Haute Couture collection, presented in Paris. 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