Balenciaga has displayed its 51st couture collection, featuring an A-list roster under creative director, Demna Gvasalia. The latest muse, Kim Kardashian was accompanied by Dua Lipa, Nicole Kidman, and supermodel Naomi Campbell to bring Demna’s vision to life. 

The show begins with a love poem being recited as faceless, otherworldly, haute couture figures start to grace the runway with their bodies encased, a Demna signature of clothing acting as like a second skin on the models. Balenciaga’s introduction of the “pant boots” became a signature of Demnas’s vision, styling Kim Kardashian and her silhouette as a muse in the house’s latest collection.

Chic high collar coats were one of my favorite additions to the collection, consuming the faceless models, accessorized with Balenciaga staples; geometric shoes and gloves. The second half of the show ditched the high-tech masks. Along came Kim Kardashian walking in a plunging corset and draped skirt, Bella Hadid in a beautifully structured, voluminous, emerald green gown, and Dua Lipa in a bright yellow textured mini dress with a side train, both paired with black gloves and stockings. 

Gowns claimed power throughout the show from start to finish. A pair of dresses held an almost fin-like structure between the shoulders, adding depth to the otherwise relatively simple and sleek gowns. A silver gown appeared wrapped, draped, and knotted around the waist before falling into a voluminous train, shortly following a black dress draped with a train in a much more subtle display.

Demna’s use of technology throughout the collection was rather impressive as well. Mercedes-AMG engineered the face masks worn by the opening models. Each purse (in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen) doubled as Bluetooth speakers. Both items will be available in limited stock at the flagship Couture shop in Paris.

Perhaps the most jaw-dropping pieces of the collection succeed one another as the final three looks, beginning with Naomi Campbell. She strutted in a giant black ball gown with the bodice rising to her chin, giving a feel of Victorian-era royal fashion. A one-shoulder, pink pleated ball gown followed, paired with a signature black glove.

The finale of the show, rightfully so, was a romantic wedding gown with a vail that nearly touched the floor. Created with hundreds of meters of tulle and thousands of crystals and sequins, the piece was so extravagant that it was grazing members of the seated audience. 

To end a show beginning with a romantic poem with a gown just as romantic, dare I say more, presented the perfect story. The articulate thought put into the atmosphere, technology, and silhouette  created a couture show to be remembered.