Damna’s announced departure from Balenciaga draws even more attention to the controversial fashion house’s latest campaign. Balenciaga’s summer campaign, which maintains an atmosphere of “classic Hollywood costume rehearsals,” is intriguing and disturbing at the same time. Will it charm the fashion world? Or will it arouse interest like previous ones?
Balenciaga’s summer campaign – farewell to Demna?
Balenciaga’s summer campaign is a mesmerizing journey through a cinematic aesthetic and fashion narrative, where every frame seems to be a frame from a non-existent film. Nadia Lee Cohen, a master of surreal photography, captured the collection’s raw yet elegant atmosphere, where vintage couture intertwines with the deconstruction of the contemporary silhouette. Surrounded by a minimalist, monochromatic setting – complete with a harp, studio speakers and a retro telephone – Kyle MacLachlan, Rachel Sennott, Sunnyi Melles and other faces of the campaign play roles whose plot remains a mystery. Demna’s latest campaign with Balenciaga is like an epilogue to his revolutionary vision – full of idiosyncratic archetypes, balancing distance and emotional depth, while being a tribute to fashion as a story of identity and individuality.
Style, chic, avant-garde – that is, the styling from the campaign
Can fashion be a script and silhouettes be actors in an identity play? Balenciaga’s summer campaign proves that yes. Demna once again plays with proportions. He freely combines oversize coats with sophisticated haute couture draping. At the same time, she mixes sporty ease with architectural precision tailoring. The collection features oversized blazers that seem to engulf the figure, deconstructive dresses that resemble works of art, and bold styles that balance on the edge of performance. There is also no shortage of extravagance. That’s why there is denim in a new, raw edition, leather total looks and futuristic accessories. The result is a picture of fashion that is not just clothing, but a manifesto.
Minimalism and futurism at the same time
Minimalist set design and precisely chosen props – from harps to studio speakers – add to the campaign’s cinematic atmosphere. They gently suggest that each silhouette is a separate story. Rachel Sennott, Kyle MacLachlan and Sunnyi Melles play the characters in this fashion story. They pose in styles that may shock, but most of all fascinate.
There is both nostalgia and futuristic decadence. Demna proves once again that fashion knows no boundaries. Is the designer’s controversial aesthetic the future of fashion, or already its timeless canon? Is this campaign the last act of his theatrical vision of Balenciaga? Which direction will the fashion house go? And what changes will the visionary and outrageous designer bring to Gucci? One thing is certain – this is a farewell that will be remembered for a long time.
Luxury News Editor
Joanna Baran
Source: kendam.com
The company: Balenciaga
