Balenciaga has made history by holding its first show in Los Angeles, California. The show, which took place on December 2nd, 2023, showcased the Fall 2024 collection designed by Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Balenciaga since 2015.
The show was staged on a palm tree-lined street in L.A., creating a contrast between the urban and the tropical. The soundtrack, composed by BFRND, featured multiple voiceovers that narrated the stories of the characters that inspired the collection. The collection itself was a reflection of Demna’s interpretation of L.A.’s fashion codes, ranging from casual activewear to glamorous eveningwear.
The show opened with an activewear chapter, featuring simple and practical items, suitable for everyday activities like jogging, yoga and gym sessions. The next chapter was a jersey section, which paid homage to the American velour tracksuit trend and celebrity street style photographs of the 2000s. The new versions of the suit had low slung trousers, some of which revealed the undergarments beneath, and cropped hooded jackets. The look was completed with knee-high Alaska boots. The show then shifted to a neo-grunge mood, with oversized and layered garments. The highlight items included cut-up asymmetric trousers, a hand embroidered leopard-motif coat, outdoor hotel slippers and leather bags lined with nylon shopper totes.
The following chapter was a mix of upscaled daywear, outsize proportions and precise tailoring. Many pieces had flattened square shoulders or were styled as tweed sets, creating a bridge between informality and glamor. One hooded jacket had an integrated scarf, which could be used for paparazzi deterrence. The show closed with an eveningwear chapter, which showcased the most stunning and sophisticated pieces of the collection. The shapes and silhouettes were highly defined, and many of the garments fused past and present by referencing original designs made by Cristóbal Balenciaga himself. Wrapped coat-dresses cut an angular, plush form, while tailored one-shoulder gowns imparted a softer impression. The final look was a monumental white gown in heavy white satin with a structured face shield, adding an element of incognito to the glamour.
The accessories of the collection included a new croc-embossed Rodeo bag, named for the Beverly Hills street and home of Balenciaga’s 2 L.A. flagships, and essential carriers such as the knitted 24/7 tote and the Monaco tote. The eyewear included evolved mask and batwing shapes, along with the new super flexible Malibu line with elastic temples and premium titanium construction. A new shoe – the 10XL Sneaker – was introduced, which amplified a sense of exaggeration in proportion, which is a Balenciaga signature. 2 select colourways (yellow/white/blue and blue/gray/black) were available in an exclusive release.
The show also featured a number of exclusive release items that were available immediately following the presentation. These included leather and paper tote bags, jerseys, caps and aprons made in collaboration with Erewhon, the L.A.-based grocery store phenomenon; the new Le Cagole Tote XL; No Logo jersey pieces, and high jewellery realized in collaboration with Jacob & Co. The jewellery designs reflected a sentiment of American youth culture and imbued it with a Made in the USA opulence.
Check out the collection below:
