Balenciaga has unveiled its fall 2022 collection through a lookbook and a video. Both titled ‘The Lost Tape/The Show That Never Happened’, the must-watch was launched on December 8 at 2pm CET (5pm GST). Videos shared on the Paris-based house’s social media platforms leading up to the reveal saw testimonies from Naomi Campbell, Renata Litvinova, Diane Pernet, and Esther Canadas praising creative director Demna’s vision and the show’s diverse casting.
The Georgian designer presented the collection of 61 looks, in the form of “a message from the past about what could have been and never was.” Directed by Harmony Korine, the show film takes the form of a taped ’90s video, taking the viewer on a journey from the arrival of the front row guests, via the backstage, to the runway, and finally, the post-show reviews. “I thought the show was life changing,” says Campbell. “That’s on a whole new level.”
Elements of the post-grunge era meet the house’s signature head-turning pieces in the collection, giving rise to new silhouettes aiming to “symbolically fill a gap from Balenciaga’s forgotten years.” Keeping modern-day comfort at the core, the collection features track suits, and shrunken twin sets made with stretchable fabric to make putting them on easy. Highlights include a bell-shaped parka with a detachable travel pillow, a bathrobe and trench coat hybrid, and jeans that are cut up in three so they can be worn as a miniskirt, pants, or XL thigh-high boots. In line with the house’s commitment to responsible production, the collection made use of 89.6% certified sustainable plain and printed ready-to-wear fabrics as well as pieces of upcycled leather.
The presentation follows the brand’s return to haute couture earlier this year and its spring/summer 2022 show in Paris. More recently, Balenciaga also took its couture collection to mainland China, marking the first time the house has staged a couture show outside of Paris. At the Tank Shanghai museum, 30 pieces were showcased for the Chinese clients who were unable to travel to Paris for the debut show in July. “As China isn’t able to travel to Europe, either, I felt it was our duty to bring the Balenciaga 50th Couture Collection there,” Gvasalia had stated. “I’m proud to share with China this very important moment celebrating the culture, craftsmanship, and heritage of Balenciaga in an exhibition featuring my first couture collection.”
Watch Balenciaga’s fall 2022 collection video ‘The Lost Tape/The Show That Never Happened’ below.