Fashion / Fashion News

Demna Gvasalia takes us away for Balenciaga’s Winter 21 collection

Shortly after an internet-shaking collaboration with Gucci for the brands Aria collection, Balenciaga has returned to present its own Winter 21 collection, and designer Demna Gvasalia is taking us on a round-the-world trip via the collection imagery in celebration of it.

In a 58-look look book, photographer Patrick Welde super imposes models into iconic tourist attractions across the globe as a virtual imagining of life when we can travel again. The collection takes form as a complete wardrobe, rethinking what it means to dress up to go out with a unisex offering and a reimagination of silhouettes for the modern wearer. It is easy-to-wear, elevated into luxury for a unique touchpoint between comfort and grandeur.

 

balenciaga winter 21

 

Tailoring is, as it so often is with Gvasalia's Balenciaga, a quiet hero underpinning the collection. Intentionally creased and large fitting, fabrications are offered in satin, viscose, gabardine, linen, crushed nylon, and cotton. A stencil stamp that reads Balenciaga Apparel Rentals provides a whisper of branding, and alludes to the suit or tuxedo’s timelessness and endurance transcending trends, moments, and wearers.

 

 

balenciaga winter 21

Such staples are intercepted with joyful block colours and prints. Hoodies and t-shorts playfully printed with vintage-style block letters reading 'GAY' are layered over top of distressed denim; Trompe l’oeil jean visuals are printed on stretch velvet and jersey molleton fabrics for comfort under the guise of polish; fleece tracksuits have been fused with knit pullovers, reiterated into into hoodies; floral print dresses with oversized puff sleeves are swatched and continued through outerwear.

 

 

balenciaga winter 21

To accompany the collection,  a “FeelGoodVideo” has been released in collaboration with artists Kamilya Kuspanova and Anton Bialas, known for layering found and original footage. Heejoon Kwak, a designer interested in the physical and mental effects of sound worked alongside the artists on the film. The video features no products or advertising, created solely to evoke a positive emotion. "Using visuals and sounds that have been scientifically proven to instill joy in most people, the montage pieces together clips and effects in a way that aims to cleanse the everyday digital palette and make almost anyone feel good." a press release reads.

 

balenciaga winter 21

 

Watch the film, below.

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