The Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2022 show was one for the history books.
Not only was the show incredibly well-received by the fashion community, but the world as well, as creative director Demna reflected on his own experiences as a refugee, and dedicated the show to those who are fleeing from Ukraine as a result of the ongoing war.
Balenciaga also made a donation to the World Food Programme, which is a frequent collaborator with the brand and has been featured on plenty of hoodies and T-shirts.
The show brought plenty of interesting looks, both from attendees including Alexa Demie, Kim Kardashian, and more, as well as on the runway.
However, it was hard to see each individual look and the details, as models were surrounded by fake snow, and behind a glass screen. Fortunately, we managed to grab detailed shots of everything from the new sneakers that debuted as part of the collection, to jewelry and accessories.
Balenciaga has always been innovative in the footwear department, collaborating with Crocs, kickstarting the dad shoe trend, and so on, and this season we're seeing trainers entirely made from a rubber material.
And speaking of innovative footwear – Balenciaga also turned its Cagole boots into a bag. Quite literally.
On the bag front, leather iterations of plastic bin bags were also featured on the runway, as a representation of refugees being forced to carry all their belongings in one as they journey towards safety and freedom.
Another hot topic from the collection has been Kim Kardashian's caution tape look, which was also one of the runway looks, and how it was created by literally layering tape atop a tight bodysuit.
We're still not sure if you'll have to purchase tape and a bodysuit in order to recreate the look, but we did get a peek at the handful of different tapes used throughout the collection – not just on Kim – but across hoodies, and other pieces.
Taking a closer look at the collection reveals plenty of details that couldn't be seen on the runway, such as scribbled jeans, "BB" logo chain jewelry, earrings, and the rumored Apple collaboration. Unfortunately, we've realized that the logo used by Balenciaga features a full apple, not Apple's signature logo with the bite. They really had us fooled for a second, especially considering the invitations were old iPhones.
As we revisit the collection, it is evident that Balenciaga's signatures are all there. Unexpected silhouettes, carefully planned layering, bold accessories, and expert craftmanship echo through the range, emphasizing its concept and its mission to tell a story.
It's hard not to like Balenciaga, especially not after a collection and show as strong as Fall/Winter 2022. Demna never fails to deliver a surprise, and we're eager to see what's next.
