Nicole Kidman, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa take to the catwalk for Balenciaga’s couture show in Paris
Nicole Kidman
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Kim Kardashian
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Since Creative Director Demna took the helm of the historic house in 2015, his subversive take on luxury has seen the world bowing down to all things Balenciaga. Most prominently last year when he returned the label to the haute couture schedule, a major coup, as the label hadn’t shown there since 1968, when founder Cristóbal still ruled the roost. Today in Paris, a star-studded cast filled both the front row and the runway, proving once again the house’s global domination.
Balenciaga Haute Couture AW22
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Balenciaga Haute Couture AW22
Courtesy of Balenciaga
The energy was certainly high pre-show. The winding white rooms slowly filled with Balenciaga-clad attendees trying to navigate their way to their seats while wearing oversized angular butterfly sunglasses. Kris Jenner and rapper Offset donned black leather while Kim Kardashian’s daughter, North West, chatted with Cédric Charbit, swinging her Balenciaga platform Crocs under her seat. On the adjacent side, country singer Keith Urban shared a row with Anna Wintour and director Steve McQueen. Indeed all walks of celebrity brushed shoulders this morning to witness a moment in fashion history.
Balenciaga Haute Couture AW22
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Balenciaga Haute Couture AW22
Courtesy of Balenciaga
The show started in spectacularly dystopian style. A legion of models in black rubber slowly descended the runway, their heads donning sleek black helmets, completely disguising their faces as they walked purposefully clutching toolbox handbags. Beginning with the quintessential full-body catsuit and metamorphosing into more structured, yet fully covered pieces, it was clear that Demna did not come to play.
Balenciaga Haute Couture AW22
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Balenciaga Haute Couture AW22
Courtesy of Balenciaga
More glamorous materials followed. With models still wearing the ominous headwear, a plethora of crystallised creations commanded attention. Shimmering beaded pant suits, gem encrusted cocktail dresses and a rousing array of sparkling tweed evoked a rich b*tch attitude, which was quickly juxtaposed with an assortment of menswear-inspired oversized denim pieces (always expect the unexpected when it comes to Balenciaga). Trenchcoats came next on the order of the day – oversized in leopard print fur, black distressed silk and leather with huge collars popped, naturally.
Christine Quinn
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Dua Lipa
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Then came the reveal. Models removed their headwear revealing a minimal yet severe makeup look; fresh, natural skin with elongated, deliberate black eyeliner flicks. An ode to the glamour of haute couture commenced as elegant silk gowns in bold hues entered the room, peppered by tailoring in the unmistakably Balenciaga silhouette of extreme tucked waists and exaggerated hips.
Bella Hadid
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Naomi Campbell
Courtesy of Balenciaga
It was at this final part of the show where the house’s hold on celebrity culture was proven. First, Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn made her entrance in a silver sequin minidress with an eight-foot train. After a few more avant garde takes on Cristóbal Balenciaga’s era-defining innovations – a ruched oversized cape dress called to mind the iconic balloon shape of the 1950s, and an explosion of ostrich feathers evoked a Countess Jacqueline des Ribes allure – five of the world’s most well known faces descended in progression: Dua Lipa in a yellow mini; Bella Hadid in emerald silk; Kim Kardashian in skin tight satin; Nicole Kidman in dramatic metallic silver; and Naomi Campbell in an outré puffball gown with conical oversized collar.
