In the Know: Balenciaga’s top five iconic moments in 2021
The global fashion landscape saw a partial return to normality this year as the fashion calendar resumed its schedule, albeit with some modifications, and Balenciaga was one to implement all its creativity in powering through the circumstances. Even though the usual pomp and show were missing, the Spanish house offered several iconic moments to look back on. As we end the year, these massive milestones by Balenciaga headed by Demna Gvasalia show why the brand is dominating the scene with its trend-worthy offerings.
- Kim Kardashian’s Iconic All Balenciaga Outfits
This year, the style icon made strategic wardrobe choices in the middle of the media storm created by her separation from Kanye and key historical fashion events, expressing her emotions with style rather than words. Kim wore a wedding dress from Balenciaga’s Haute Couture comeback this year for Kanye’s listening party for his album Donda, which had the fashion community on tenterhooks by its symbolism. She also chose a dramatic all-black head-to-toe look for the Met Gala, complete with a black mask and train that covered absolutely everything. Other statement-making events include her comedic cameo at Saturday Night Live, for which she wore a bubblegum pink second-skin style catsuit with a matching feathered coat.
Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala in an all-Balenciaga look
Kim wearing a Balenciaga second-skin style catsuit for Saturday Night Live
2. The Gucci Balenciaga Hacker Project
In a resounding move, the two brands sent off a collaborative project straight to stores with a new style of merging the two houses. Logos and iconic signature prints were mixed and matched to create fusion pieces, which at first confused incoming customers but slowly took over the internet and the market like wildfire. Some saw this as a visionary move that expressed a new direction by designers and brands, where rebranding in fashion will have a new meaning.
Gucci X Balenciaga Collaboration
3. Return to Haute Couture
The Spanish fashion house made a comeback to Haute Couture after 53 years with a collection that instantly fascinated, and moved spectators present in Paris to see the show. The quiet atmosphere and the iconic designs that were borrowed from the early archives of Cristóbal Balenciaga cemented its status in the couture world.
Balenciaga makes its haute couture comeback after 53 years
4. The Trendmaking Hourglass Bag
The hourglass top handle bags by Balenciaga have reached cult status with their iconic inward curving design and signature hardware. Coming in the brand’s favoured bold colour palette of bright hues, it now also comes in textured skins. Kim Kardashian was spotted carrying one wearing a trademark second-skin all-black outfit to a birthday celebration. Apart from the sworn Balenciaga lover, the star character Carrie Bradshaw of Sex And The City comeback series …And Just Like That, who is known to serve only the best of style moments, was shown carrying the hourglass bag in an episode.
Carrie Bradshaw and Kim Kardashian seen carrying the iconic Hourglass bag by Balenciaga
5. Ditching the Runway for a Simpsons Episode
The fashion house chose to show their designs to invitees through a Simpsons episode during Paris Fashion Week this year, which was a first for a fashion house. Keeping in mind safety and regulations in the current circumstances, the brand lightened the atmosphere with a 10-minute screening of the show. The character Marge was seen wearing a Balenciaga dress with power shoulders, while Homer was shown wearing their puffer jacket with collar tips tilted up.
Marge from Simpsons spotted wearing the Balenciaga power shoulder dress
