Arguably the hottest fashion label in the world right now, Demna Gvaslia’s Balenciaga Fashion is soaring, especially on the stock exchange, thanks to its corporate-chic Resort 2023 runway show. Demna brought an Adidas collaboration and ultra-modern business wear to a futurist Wall Street for his first show in America.
Set in New York’s Stock Exchange on the morning of May 22, members of the press watched the show play out against the background of a dozen glitchy day trader screens and dark techno music. They’re watching the Balenciaga Fashion show, under dim lighting and peculiar conditions.
Kinky latex bodysuits covered the models’ faces, who were dressed in fetish wear and latex gimp suits as they displayed the latest designs from the beloved label. The fashion show debuted the house’s spring 2023 collection as well as a highly-anticipated Adidas collaboration.
Event invitations were printed on piles of Balenciaga branded $100 bills following the broken iPhone 6s sent out last season. Celebrity guests included Kanye West, Alexa Demie, Megan Thee Stallion, and Offset.
In addition to the invitations, Demna projected the brand’s logo on some iconic Big Apple locations, including Madison Square Park, Union Square, and Times Square.
The show was divided into three parts, starting with the new Garde-Robe category — an edit of “wardrobe staples in elevated cuts, sharp finishings and luxe materials”, according to the brand.
Inspired by corporate tailoring, these formal classics included casual suiting and overcoats, from oversized trenches to masculine winter outerwear, all worn with silky pussy-bow blouses to add refinement to the obsessive work attire.
The 80s-inspired silhouettes provided the perfect uniform to workaholics looking to climb the corporate ladder. The second part of the collection featured evening wear in the form of skin-tight sequinned gowns, silk trench dresses with elaborate trains and super-sized lace-up boots. Finally, part three showcased Demna’s collaboration with Adidas.
The 33-piece collection included tracksuits, boxer’s robes, and track dresses portraying Adidas’ iconic stripes, an altered trefoil logo, or the Balenciaga name spelt in its collaborator’s signature typeface.
Right after the show, selected pieces were made available for purchase online at balenciaga.com and the Balenciaga store on Madison Avenue in New York.