Balenciaga A/W 2016

New artistic director Demna Gvasalia broadcast his vision for the house of Balenciaga to the world at the most anticipated show of the season

Balenciaga A/W 2016
(Image credit: press)

Scene setting: The venue for Paris' most anticipated show of the season was a television studio. Complete with grey padded walls, the space was well wired for sound, and to a penetrating beat new artistic director Demna Gvasalia broadcast his vision for the house of Balenciaga to the world.

Mood board: This show was all about form as Gvasalia successfully captured Cristobal Balenciaga's couture methodology within a modern sportswear context. This was evident from the light padding of his opening, C-curve plaid looks, which emphasised the hips via ardent construction, to his oversized outerwear pieces (anoraks, trenches, puffers, denim and leather biker jackets included), which were styled with a nod to the streets, each piece cut to structurally slip back off the shoulders.

Finishing touches: Elongating the couture silhouette, platformed leather boots in a range of hues from cobalt blue to punchy florals (the latter worn with his coordinating floral brocade looks) will be the hot ticket footwear choice for winter. Gvasalia also debuted a whole host of boxy shoulder bags, which will no doubt refresh Balenciag's bag business along with his super striped Laundromat totes that tied back to his more utilitarian Vetements vision.

Balenciaga A/W 2016

(Image credit: press)

Balenciaga A/W 2016

(Image credit: press)

Balenciaga A/W 2016

(Image credit: press)

Balenciaga A/W 2016

(Image credit: press)