Ode to Californian style at the Balenciaga runway show in Los Angeles

The Balenciaga Fall 2024 runway show in Los Angeles

While Louis Vuitton and Pharrell Williams have just presented their Pre-Fall 2024 men's runway show in Hong Kong, it's now Balenciaga's turn to unveil its Fall 2024 collection outside the Fashion Week calendar. Following in the footsteps of Chanel, Versace, and Saint Laurent – who recently flew across the Atlantic to showcase some of their collections – Demna sets up in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 2, 2023. This marks the second show in the United States after New York in 2022.

The Californian city has plenty to dream about, with its exceptional light, tall palm trees extending into the sky, and, above all, an extraordinary concentration of stars and celebrities of all kinds. It's not surprising that fashion houses are investing in its wide avenues. Thus, on a street lined with palm trees, accompanied by a personalized soundtrack by musician BFRND, who composes all the music for Balenciaga shows, the Fall 2024 collection is revealed, reinterpreting the codes of Los Angeles fashion.

Tracksuits, grunge fashion, and Hollywood dresses

Opening with scenes of characters engaged in daily activities such as jogging, yoga, or sports sessions, featuring shorts, sports bras, leggings, and sweatshirts, followed by the iconic tracksuit favored by stars like Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez. The looks then flirt with neo-grunge, showcasing oversized and layered clothing like asymmetrically cut pants, a hand-embroidered leopard-patterned coat, outdoor hotel slippers, and leather bags lined with a nylon tote.

Structured ensembles and numerous garments merge the past and present, referencing original designs created by Cristobal Balenciaga himself, such as coat-dresses that give an angular and substantial shape, while custom-tailored one-shoulder dresses present a softer impression. The final look reinforces anonymity: a monumental white satin dress with a structured visor.

After a year of rather restrained and measured collections, Demna reconnects with a sense of humor, even a certain provocation, playing with stereotypes in the Balenciaga Fall 2024 runway show that ventures into the realm of bad taste without crossing the line. Among the apparent lingerie (including thongs under velvet joggers), a handbag inspired by the paper craft shopping bags from the Californian grocery store Erewhon, and maximalist high jewelry pieces in collaboration with Jacob & Co, there are also UGG-style fur-lined boots and coffee cup-inspired pieces reminiscent of Starbucks."

Translation by Emma Naroumbo Armaing.