Dear Shaded Viewers,
Returning from “Balenciaga by Demna” at 40 Rue de Sèvres, I found myself deeply moved—caught in the emotional crosscurrents of a decade’s worth of radical vision, personal storytelling, and the palpable presence of Demna himself guiding us through the experience. This landmark retrospective, running from June 26 to July 9, 2025, is more than an exhibition; it’s an immersion into the creative mind that has redefined the very language of luxury and streetwear.
From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is charged. The first display—a case of Demna’s unforgettable invitations, each a tiny work of art—immediately evokes a sense of nostalgia and awe. I’ve kept every one I ever received, a testament to their singularity; who could discard a stuffed wallet or an inscribed wedding ring masquerading as an invite? Even the eBay package, with its scrap of lace, still hangs in my kitchen—a daily reminder of Demna’s wit and inventiveness.
Demna’s journey is laid bare, beginning with the irony of a printed rejection email from Balenciaga in 2007, when he was denied an internship. Now, as he prepares to leave the house as a transformative force, this full-circle moment feels both humbling and inspiring—an unspoken encouragement to every young designer searching for their place in the world.
The exhibition itself is a sensory tapestry. As you walk through the rooms, Demna’s voice resonates, explaining the stories and inspirations behind each piece. His commentary weaves through the space, overlapping with the hum of visitors and the visual onslaught of 101 objects—looks, accessories, provocations—drawn from 30 collections. The effect is a beautiful cacophony: ideas, emotions, and memories colliding in real-time, making it impossible not to feel swept up in the energy of it all.
There’s an intimacy here, too. The exhibition is staged in the very quarters where Cristóbal Balenciaga once worked, forging a dialogue between the house’s storied past and Demna’s audacious present. The journey crescendos in a deeply personal moment: the display of his husband’s wedding dress, from a collection Demna describes as his favorite and most intimate. Hearing his voice reflect on this, I was genuinely touched—especially recalling that he once asked me to walk in that show, a poignant bookend to my own modeling story.
As you circle the final installation—Demna’s figure in a hoodie—you’re handed a magazine, styled like something plucked from a supermarket checkout, with his muse on the cover. Inside, the pages echo the pieces you’ve just witnessed, extending the experience beyond the gallery walls. By the end, I was not just impressed but genuinely emotional, moved by the scope of Demna’s vision and the vulnerability he allowed us to witness.
“Balenciaga by Demna” is a testament to fashion’s power to provoke, disrupt, and ultimately, to move us. As Demna prepares for his next chapter at Gucci, he leaves behind a legacy that has forever altered the way we see ourselves—and what fashion can mean. Bravo.
The “Balenciaga by Demna” exhibition runs from June 26 to July 9, 2025, at Kering’s headquarters, located at 40 rue de Sèvres in Paris. Admission is free, but visitors must reserve their spot in advance by registering online at exposition.balenciaga.com
Later,
Diane
