Dear Shaded Viewers,
Balenciaga’s newly renovated flagship in Beijing’s Sanlitun district is a bold statement about the brand’s evolving relationship with China and its reverence for its own storied past.
The new four-story, 1,204-square-meter flagship is the world’s largest Balenciaga boutique in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic luxury markets. The grand opening, celebrated on May 27, 2025, was a meticulously choreographed affair, blending the avant-garde with the timeless, the global with the local.
At the core of the opening festivities is a rare exhibition: six archival ensembles by Cristóbal Balenciaga, displayed for the first time in China. These are relics of fashion history—each paired with archival photographs of their original wearers, icons such as Princess Grace of Monaco, Marlene Dietrich, and Ingrid Bergman1. Their presence in Beijing is a powerful reminder that Balenciaga’s legacy is universal, resonating with generations of tastemakers and creatives across continents.
Balenciaga’s nod to its Chinese audience is neither superficial nor tokenistic. The event’s bespoke menu, created in collaboration with Tiao, the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen’s cocktail bar, was inspired by the flavours of Beijing’s hutongs, weaving local culinary traditions into the brand’s global narrative1. The guest list, featured Chinese actors, models, and athletes within China’s cultural vanguard.
The China-exclusive colorways and upcycled, D.I.Y.-inspired apparel as well as the pre-launch of the Basketball Sneaker in a metallic blue are exclusive to China.
The event also marks the worldwide launch of the Balenciaga | Automobili Lamborghini collaboration, a marriage of two titans of design, further cementing the flagship’s status as a crucible for innovation and creativity1.
Balenciaga’s Sanlitun flagship is a cultural destination, a bridge between the House’s Parisian roots and its Chinese future. Balenciaga’s flagship is not just a place to shop, but a canvas for storytelling, creativity, and connection.
Balenciaga’s bold move in Beijing is both a celebration and a challenge—to itself, to its peers, and to the ever-evolving world of luxury retail.
Later,
Diane
