Balenciaga A/W 2019 Paris Fashion Week Women's

Scene setting: In Paris, the silhouette is in the spotlight. At Maison Margiela, John Galliano’s exploration of reduced shapes in their purest form, worked as an antidote to the kaleidoscopic aesthetic of his Artisanal show in January. At Loewe, Jonathan Anderson’s pared-back show space emphasised the microscopic lens he applied to his A/W 2019 clothing. For Balenciaga’s S/S 2019 show last season, a tube-like show set with a video installation provided by Canada-born video artist Jon Rafman, brought a trippy, digitally immersive note to proceedings. Strobe lighting and a pulsating illuminated ceiling may have been part of the maison’s A/W 2019 showset at Luc Besson’s Cité du Cinema building in the suburbs of St Denis, but its asphalt-lined floor alluded to a collection centred on the real, city streets of Paris.
Mood board: Men’s and women’s tailoring was sharp and featured a slightly exaggerated shoulder. There was incredible precision in sweeping overcoats, with square proportions and an oblique silhouette. Creative director Demna Gvasalia brings a modern and hyperbolic take on the codes of Balencaiga – a maison renowned for its avant-garde silhouettes, from the cocoon coat to the puff ball dress. The most subversive Balenciaga customers will fall for blouses with huge high-necked collars, cagoules with leg of mutton sleeves and saucy leather coats. But there’s plenty here for the regular pounding the pavements too. Those smart suits, bold sweaters and sweeping column dresses have a universal appeal.
Finishing touches: Gvasalia’s accessories had an air of the urban walker. There were Balenciaga logo or grocer’s branded shopping bags and leather water bottle holders emblazoned with ‘I love Paris’ typography. Fine fodder for the modern flâneur.
Balenciaga A/W 2019
Balenciaga A/W 2019
Balenciaga A/W 2019
Balenciaga A/W 2019
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Tuneshine is a new way of bringing back the lost art of the album cover
The compact Tuneshine screen uses LED tech to illuminate the artwork of whatever you’re currently streaming
-
Inside the new theatre at Jacob’s Pillow and its ‘magic box’, part of a pioneering complex designed for dance
Jacob’s Pillow welcomes the reborn Doris Duke Theatre by Mecanoo, a new space that has just opened in the beloved Berkshires cultural hub for the summer season
-
What to see at Rencontres d’Arles 2025, questioning power structures in the state and family
Suppressed memories resurface in sharply considered photography at Rencontres d'Arles 2025. Here are some standout photographers to see
-
Art meets perfume in cross-disciplinary fragrance series Nez 1+1
Talents from film and fragrance come together to create Ansongo, the latest scent resulting from a creative matchmaking project by perfume revue Nez
-
Haute Couture Week A/W 2025: what to expect
Five moments to look out for at Haute Couture Week A/W 2025 in Paris (starting Monday 7 July), from Glenn Martens’ debut for Maison Margiela to Demna’s Balenciaga swansong. Plus, ‘new beginnings’ from JW Anderson
-
The collections you might have missed this S/S 2026 menswear season
Between the headliners in Paris, Milan and Florence, a few off-schedule displays are deserving of honourable mention – from Martine Rose’s sexually-charged portrait of Kensington Market to Sander Lak’s appointment-only namesake debut
-
‘They gave me carte blanche to do what I want’: Paul Kooiker photographs the students of Gerrit Rietveld Academie for Acne Studios
Heralding the launch of a new permanent gallery from fashion label Acne Studios, the celebrated Dutch photographer’s new body of work praises the bravery of ‘people who choose to go to an art school at a time like this’
-
‘I’m surprised that I got this far’: Rick Owens on his bombastic Paris retrospective, ‘Temple of Love’
The Dark Prince of Fashion sits down with Wallpaper* to discuss legacy, love, and growing old in Paris as a display at the Palais Galliera tells the story of his subversive career
-
The standout shows of Paris Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2026: Hermès to Craig Green
Wallpaper* picks the very best of Paris Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2026, from Véronique Nichanian’s portrait of summer in the city for Hermès to Craig Green’s return to the Paris runway
-
Paris Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2026: live updates from the Wallpaper* team
From 24-29 June, Paris Fashion Week Men’s arrives in the French capital. Follow along for a first look at the shows, presentations and other fashion happenings, as seen by the Wallpaper* editors
-
What the Wallpaper* editors are looking forward to at Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2026
As Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2026 begins in Florence, the Wallpaper* style team select the moments they will be looking out for – from Jonathan Anderson’s anticipated Dior debut to outings from Wales Bonner, Kiko Kostadinov and Prada