Balenciaga Fall 2020 menswear. Photo: Vogue Runway
There was a time when Balenciaga ruled the realm of couture.
Before shutting up shop to these coveted creations back in 1968, Mr Balenciaga was seen as the biggest name in the arena with even Christian Dior famously coined as saying that the designer was, “the master of us all” while Coco Chanel referred to him as,” a couturier in the truest feeling of the words”.
But since the brand moved away from haute creations almost five decades ago it has transformed into one of the most formidable fashion-forward trailblazers out there.
Now, the fashion house has announced that as of next year it will maneuver back to its roots – and this time the couture won’t just be for ladies as the brand will go all out and produce creations for both men and women.
Demna Gvasalia. Photo: Getty
Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga’s creative director since 2015, first revealed his plans to relaunch haute couture in January: “…relaunching haute couture is my mission for this house. This is where we came from, and after 50 years we’re coming back,” he said.
The brand hasn’t had a couture line since its Spanish founder, Cristobal Balenciaga, closed his original studio in 1968.
But in an interesting twist, Balenciaga won’t be the first to include male pieces in their collections since other main players including Bouchra Jarrar and John Galliano have also been pushing a unisex movement.
Haute couture shows are traditionally held twice a year, in January and July, separately from the presentations of ready-to-wear collections and this revival show is set to take place in July 2021 marking the beginning of a grand renaissance for the brand.
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