Balenciaga Couture draws a stellar line-up for a historic show

Demna presented his final couture collection for Balenciaga, bringing a decade-long creative chapter to a close. The show marked an emotional and symbolic moment for the House, drawing an audience of high-profile guests who gathered to support the designer at the end of his tenure. Among those in attendance were Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Alexis Stone appearing in a striking Morticia Addams-inspired look with “Thing” perched on his shoulder—Patrick Schwarzenegger, Katy Perry, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. 

The runway itself reflected Demna’s ability to merge cultural references with couture craftsmanship. Kim Kardashian made a notable appearance on the catwalk wearing a white silk gown inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic look in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The homage was elevated further by earrings that once belonged to the legendary actress, adding a layer of cinematic and historical resonance. French actress and Balenciaga ambassador Isabelle Huppert also took part in the show, embodying the intellectual and restrained elegance that has often defined Demna’s vision.

The collection drew inspiration from the dress codes of the bourgeoisie, reinterpreted through a contemporary couture lens. Highlights included a polka-dot coat dress with exaggerated satin lapels, a sculptural black leather gown shaped into a dramatic hourglass silhouette, and a houndstooth suit that directly referenced Cristóbal Balenciaga’s own work from 1967. That particular motif echoed an archival look once worn by the House’s muse, Danielle Slavik, reinforcing the dialogue between past and present.

Throughout the collection, Demna balanced precision tailoring with bold volumes and sharp contrasts, reaffirming couture as both a discipline and a form of expression. Architectural silhouettes, meticulous construction, and subtle provocations spoke to his decade-long redefinition of Balenciaga, where tradition was never abandoned, but constantly challenged and reframed.

As the final look exited the runway, the show felt less like an ending than a carefully considered closing statement—one that honored Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy while remaining unmistakably Demna. With this couture collection, the designer leaves the House having reshaped its language for a new era, setting the stage for its next chapter under new creative direction.