Saying goodbye comes in many forms. Some choose a lavish farewell party, others pen heartfelt letters or share emotional social media posts. Some prefer quiet exits, letting others announce their departure. For Demna, who spent a transformative decade as Balenciaga’s creative director—known for iconic runway moments from snowy catwalks to dramatic Shanghai spectacles—his farewell was both romantic and diplomatic.
Inside Balenciaga’s historic salon on Avenue George V, the atmosphere was electric. The show welcomed an elite crowd, including François-Henri Pinault—former CEO of Kering—and Pierpaolo Piccioli, Balenciaga’s newly appointed creative director. Unlike last year’s meditative soundtrack designed to guide listeners toward serenity, this show featured the models softly announcing their own names, followed by the timeless tune No Ordinary Love by Sade.
A handwritten note placed on every seat captured the show’s essence:
“Fashion always stands on the edge of tomorrow—not bound by what we know, but by the excitement of discovering what lies ahead. It is our way to embrace change, to dress the future before it even has a name.”
Some guests arrived wearing couture looks from Demna’s previous collections, a fitting tribute to his impact. After the mirrored salon doors opened, models revealed the collection’s central theme—bold silhouettes and redefined tailoring. The opening look, an all-white, sleek suit, highlighted Demna’s lasting influence on modern fashion’s shapes.
Floor-length black coats followed, styled with sharply pointed, double-buckle shoes and worn, vintage-style briefcases—including one entirely in gold. The Balenciaga man appeared poised and confident, whether in finely tailored eveningwear or exaggerated, oversized layers. Female muses like Isabelle Huppert and Kim Kardashian embodied timeless glamour, entering 2025 adorned in dramatic gowns featuring narrow waists, padded hips, and sculpted necklines.
While black and white dominated the runway, soft shades like Cinderella blue and pale lemon added delicate contrasts. Luxe textures—fur, rhinestones, lace, and houndstooth—combined with refined trench coats and artfully transformed knitwear, turning ordinary pieces into cinematic statements.
Demna’s distinctive vision was evident throughout the collection—from leather ensembles that fit like second skin to voluminous bomber jackets shaped with precision. Kim Kardashian’s show-stopping look—a slinky slip dress topped with vintage Hollywood-inspired fur—reminded onlookers of Balenciaga’s decade-long media reign, frequently igniting conversations across social media.
One of the most striking moments came with a voluminous gown featuring a rigid lace petticoat—a testament to Demna’s ability to merge couture craftsmanship with forward-thinking design. His farewell wasn’t about nostalgia—it was an invitation to embrace the future.
As Pierpaolo Piccioli now takes the creative helm, the message is clear: Fashion must honor its past but continually reinvent itself. As the show’s note perfectly stated, “What we create today becomes what we wear tomorrow.” And for many tomorrows to come, the world will still wear Demna’s Balenciaga.
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