In 2015, Demna became the creative director of Balenciaga. At first, his
appointment surprised many in the luxury fashion world. But his bold,
oversized designs and raw take on modern style quickly made a strong
impact. After earning a master’s degree in fashion design in 2006,
Demna worked for Walter van Beirendonck, Maison Margiela, and Louis Vuitton.
In 2014, he co-founded Vetements, and the next year, became the head of
Balenciaga. His unique design laguage, blending streetwear and high fashion,
became iconic, starting with the first oversized hoodie. Very quickly,
the oversized cuts, immersive shapes, and edgy take on modern fashion
created a new style.
During last Paris Mens Fashionweek, nearly ten years later, Balenciaga
marked the anniversary with an exhibition at Kering's headquarters in Paris.
It showcased a decade of daring, sculptural fashion. The exhibit includes
pieces from Demna's personal wardrobe, his voice, and the rebellious
creativity that defined his time at the brand. The exhibition began with a
look at Demna's past show invitations, known for their playful take on
luxury and boundary-pushing ideas. It also featured a rejection letter from
2007, back when he was a student at Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts
applying for a menswear internship.
Some of his most talked-about pieces were on display, like a blue leather
bag that looks like an Ikea shopping tote, and a $925 towel skirt, both
examples of how simple, spontaneous ideas can inspire design.
His cheeky, rebellious spirit carried through to the exhibition catalogue,
which mimics a flashy magazine packed with over the top cover lines, and
includes a fake ad for a Balenciaga watch that only shows the back of the
case. A lifelike mannequin of artist Eliza Douglas, a frequent model for
Demna appeared twice and looked incredible real with a little "D"
tattood on her hand. In total, the show featured 101 pieces from 30
collections, highlighting Demna's creative play with shape, size, and
attitude, including the 'fake layering coat' from winter 2018. Although the
metal knight-like thigh boots were there, the thing we missed was the
matching robot-like metal dress.
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