Balenciaga Pre-Fall 2026 Paris

[Zorka]

vogue.com

 

[Fiercification]

I genuinely don't hate his vision so far for Balenciaga as much as everyone else here but...yeah, this is very much "everything and the kitchen sink". Feels like he's trying to court every possible corner of the Balenciaga audience that ever existed in modern times, from Demna's overplayed hypebeasts to some of those longing for a more succinct vision like that of Ghesquière. All whilst throwing in some of his Valentinoisms.

Some nice coats, like the black sculpted one on Ned Sims in the black and white close-up but the sportswear is not convincing at all. More than anything else I find it difficult to believe Joe McKenna styled this. It's quite messy from that POV.

 

[donyan]

Some of it is beautiful and some of it is just there for no reason, and the whole thing lacking any clear point of view or direction makes it seem like just a whole lot of merch. I’m not sure this is the right way to save Balenciaga. I hope it is.

 

[Phuel]

May as well be ghost-designed by our beloved Demna.

Lots of mix-n-match solid separates for the typical HBX hypebeasts. And very solid leathers and coats. It is admittedly everything but the kitchen sink (...and some)— but it also works for its intended aesthetic and customer base. I wouldn't spend money on any of this, but as a commercial offering to optimize profits, this looks a strong and convincing offering for the children-- and adult desperate to be down with the children. And very on-brand. It's good.

 

[reese06]

As a fan that bought Demna's Balenciaga, this hollow and might as well have been done by AI. Perhaps when he moves away from the Demna-isms, he will have more conviction.

 

[hamburgers]

 

[MModa]

I like the collection and it is nicely presented with photography by Robin Galiegue.

 

[Axel Mendoza]

One word. Rancid

 

[justpassingthrough]

How funny I was just looking at those shoes & thought “those look an awful lot like Lurum’s”

 

[PDFSD]

Alo upmarket repositioning 2026

 

[Monsieur Cristobal]

When your point of view consists in mixing the points of view of four other people, you end up with this.

Better than the trash Demna was offering in the last seasons? Yes.

Worthy of Balenciaga? I don't think so.

 

[youthinasia]

Where have I seen these before? Oh yes, Demna’s debut collection for Balenciaga!

 

[THD96]

I like a few outerwears, there are some really good coats in this collection, and the evening wear is nice.
But overall it is quite a lot to digest since there are a lot of products that seem doesn't connect as a whole.
This scream lacks a strong POV. This may work for the first few seasons, but if he wants to stay long, he really has to put himself more and focus on creating a really strong vision that can stand on its own.

Yeah but I somewhat understand this is not an easy job, I mean even if he wanted to change things around 360, Kering is clearly won't allow him to neglect all the customers that makes this brand become 2 billions. Kering is clearly not that kind of company, and frankly, they can not afford to pull a stunt like that at this state of the group.

 

[Creative]

How many previous collections are here? It seems there’s a little bit from everyone 🤣

Poor guy, I think this was a product of top management telling him what to do. He is bad but this bad?

 

[prylvi]

The clothes are just.. there

 

[Squizree]

Hate the direction. So childish.

I'm probably speaking too soon but I love that Demna's contribution to Balenciaga has seemingly been relegated to insignificant pre-collections.

 

[Alquimista]

I like it! Maybe it's the great photos but yeah into it.

 

[Frederic01]

It's a step in the right direction, as in away from the fifth and decrepitness of Demma's general output, but it's still a weak proposition from PP and team. Balenciaga doesn't have any legitimacy in the wellness or health space, so this collection reads as pretentious and inauthentic. It's giving boomer got handed a trend forecast report from Berstein and based their whole collection around it. The sportswear is lowkey quite cringe.

Personally, I think Pierpaolo should go back to what he does best, which is just straight out European extravagance and opulence. There is no point in trying to court the Demna customer at this point. They will not stay. What Balenciaga needs to do is move away from that segment and aggressively so. Building a new customer base should be their focus right now. Pierpaolo has fans, he can do it. He has an opportunity also to capitalise on the formerly departed Maria Grazia Chiuri customer base at Dior and on the Valentino fans who are not buying Alessandro's designs.

Number one priority though should be the stores because at the moment going into those stores is like entering into some post-apocalyptic nightmare. All that raw concrete and fluorescent light my goodness. Imagine spending $10,000 on a coat in a space like that when at Fendi or Dior you can have a private room with fresh flowers and chic sales associates, etc.

 

[jeanclaude]

A microwave, and this collection, have something in common: both are filled with re-heated leftovers.

 

[IndigoHomme]

I keep trying to convince myself that this is just another chapter in a story of transition towards something better.