Design

Demna’s Last Bow: Balenciaga’s Final Disruption

In a dramatic and emotional finale, Demna Gvasalia brought his journey with Balenciaga to a poetic conclusion.

Por: Rubén Carrillo
Presented at the restored apartment of Cristóbal Balenciaga, the collection fused past and present, tradition and innovation, emotion and intellect / Photo Balenciaga
Presented at the restored apartment of Cristóbal Balenciaga, the collection fused past and present, tradition and innovation, emotion and intellect / Photo Balenciaga

Demna Gvasalia’s Fall 2025 couture show in Paris marked not only the end of an era for Balenciaga but also a tribute to the evolution of fashion over the past decade. 

 

Presented at the restored apartment of Cristóbal Balenciaga, the collection fused past and present, tradition and innovation, emotion and intellect.

 

The setting was symbolic—Paris, the city where Demna’s creative roots run deep. 

 

The former Balenciaga residence, revived to its 1960s splendor, added historical gravity to the event. 

 

Every detail of the show paid homage to the essence of the house while injecting Demna’s signature irreverence. 

 

He described this final effort as the closest he has come to perfection in his relentless quest for it.

Every detail of the show paid homage to the essence of the house while injecting Demna’s signature irreverence. / Photo Balenciaga
Every detail of the show paid homage to the essence of the house while injecting Demna’s signature irreverence. / Photo Balenciaga

A Return to Form and Feeling

The couture silhouettes emphasized structural precision while maintaining Demna’s love for conceptual depth. 

 

Tailoring was sharp but softened by movement. His corsets, crafted without boning, respected the body rather than reshaping it. 

 

His fabric manipulation included 300 kilometers of embroidered yarn masquerading as corduroy, and gowns crafted from organza lighter than air.

Tailoring was sharp but softened by movement. His corsets, crafted without boning, respected the body rather than reshaping it / Photo Balenciaga
Tailoring was sharp but softened by movement. His corsets, crafted without boning, respected the body rather than reshaping it / Photo Balenciaga

Tributes Through Style and Iconography

Each look was a story—many personal. Kim Kardashian’s outfit referenced Elizabeth Taylor, complete with real diamonds. 

 

A gown echoing Marilyn Monroe shimmered in black sequins.

 

Elsewhere, Demna’s recycled tissue flower pins brought in elements of sustainability and memory, balancing couture with conscience.

Kim Kardashian's outfit referenced Elizabeth Taylor, complete with real diamonds / Photo Balenciaga
Kim Kardashian's outfit referenced Elizabeth Taylor, complete with real diamonds / Photo Balenciaga

Legacy in Layers

Demna’s take on “La Bourgeoisie” reframed the elite, using tulip lapels and regal necklines to modernize historical references. 

 

Nine bodybuilders wore seamless Neapolitan suits, proving his mantra: “It is not the garment that defines the body, but the body that defines the garment.”

 

A Nod to History and the Future

The collection closed with an elegant lace gown—its shape reminiscent of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s original creations. 

 

At the same time, elements like couture sneakers and puffer coats referenced Demna’s own iconic moments.

Demna’s take on “La Bourgeoisie” reframed the elite, using tulip lapels and regal necklines to modernize historical references. / Photo Balenciaga
Demna’s take on “La Bourgeoisie” reframed the elite, using tulip lapels and regal necklines to modernize historical references. / Photo Balenciaga

What Comes Next

Pierpaolo Piccioli, from Valentino, will follow Demna at Balenciaga. Known for elegance and restraint, Piccioli represents a safer shift. 

 

Still, Demna’s legacy, filled with subversion and depth, sets a high bar.

 

Fashion’s Larger Questions

As speculation swirled about Giorgio Armani’s possible retirement, Demna’s departure reminds us that even titans move on. 

 

Yet the body of work remains. Armani assured reporters of his continued control, though his absence hinted at change.

 

Demna’s Balenciaga was never about comfort—it was about confrontation, reinvention, and soul. 

 

As he steps away, the echoes of his vision remain stitched into the fabric of modern couture.

Quick Q&A’s about Maria Gabriela de Faria

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