After a decade at the helm of Balenciaga, Demna has bid his farewell with a couture collection that serves as both a love letter to the brand and an emotional tribute to his creative journey. The Paris haute couture show held in July 2025 was not just another runway presentation but a poignant moment in fashion history. It was the culmination of a transformative era where Demna redefined the boundaries of luxury fashion. As he closed this chapter, he did so with a heartfelt, beautifully crafted collection that celebrated not only his legacy but also the collaborators who helped him along the way.
The show’s format was quintessentially Demna, set in a salon-style venue where the creative voices behind Balenciaga's evolution were honored. In a powerful opening, the names of every individual who had ever worked with Demna were read aloud, creating a sense of continuity and collaboration. The show featured some of Demna’s iconic muses, such as Kim Kardashian and Isabelle Huppert, but it was the inclusion of models Eliza Douglas and Minttu Vesala that stood out. These unconventional faces and personalities played a significant role in transforming Balenciaga from a traditional French couture house into a forward-thinking, sometimes perplexing, yet deeply compelling brand.
Rather than revisiting old techniques or simply paying homage to Balenciaga’s rich heritage, Demna’s final collection felt like a natural evolution of his continuous experimentation. He didn’t just tweak the classics; he completely reimagined how they could be constructed and worn. One of the standout elements was his exploration of how to remove traditional corsetry in gowns, replacing the stiff structure with layers of fabric hand-applied to a stretch base. The result was a stiff, otherworldly garment that seemed to float above the body, challenging the very notion of structure in couture.
Demna’s ability to merge tradition with modernity was evident throughout the collection. He pushed the boundaries of tailoring, even challenging his atelier to fit a classic suit on a bodybuilder and then recreate the same suit for different body types. Some of the suiting designs had all padding and darts removed to create a more relaxed, almost “melted” silhouette. This experimental approach, which Demna described as “melted,” was also reflected in a white feathered “bathrobe” that slithered as it moved, embodying the designer’s concept of fluidity and freedom in fashion.
Feathers, gabardine, and organza—luxurious fabrics typically associated with old Hollywood glamour—were used extensively, reflecting Demna’s love for a style that he believes is lacking in today’s fashion scene. Throughout his tenure, Demna has been unafraid to mix high fashion with pop culture, using cinema and music as references to break down the barriers between “high” and “low.” His work often seeks to make luxury fashion more accessible, less pretentious, and more connected to the masses. He pays as much homage to icons like Cardi B as he does to Cristóbal Balenciaga himself, a sentiment that is beautifully expressed in this collection.
The stunning ballgowns, like the rose-pink organza bustier dress and a column dress with a cocooning neckline made from scuba fabric, showcased this blend of old and new, high and low. The final piece of the show—a cone-shaped, high-neck gown made from rigid ivory guipure lace—was the ultimate testament to Demna’s mastery and vision. It was a stunning, almost architectural creation that encapsulated everything Demna had accomplished at Balenciaga.
Backstage, Demna described this collection as “very experimental,” emphasizing his belief that it is not the garment that defines the silhouette but the body that wears it. This notion has been a central theme throughout his work, and in his final collection, it was crystal clear: fashion is not just about clothes but about expressing individuality and the human spirit. The heart of Demna’s work has always been a deep love for self-expression, and this final show was a heartfelt tribute not just to Balenciaga, but also to the people and culture that have supported him.
As the final names were read out, Sade’s iconic “No Ordinary Love” played— a song that Demna has said has been the soundtrack of his life since he was nine years old. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Demna explained why he decided to take a bow at the end of the show, something he had never done before. “I’ve always been hard on myself,” he said. “I felt like I owed it to myself, to Balenciaga, and to everything we’ve done over the last ten years.” It was a moment that perfectly captured the emotions of a designer who had poured his heart and soul into a brand that had become synonymous with innovation.
As Demna takes his final bow, Balenciaga enters a new chapter. His departure marks the end of a transformative era, but the legacy he leaves behind will continue to influence the brand for years to come. The question now is: how will Balenciaga evolve under the leadership of a new creative force? Will it be able to maintain Demna’s spirit of innovation and boundary-pushing design? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Demna’s impact on luxury fashion will never be forgotten.
This collection was more than just a farewell; it was a statement about the future of luxury. In Demna’s world, fashion is not just about expensive materials and intricate craftsmanship; it’s about personal expression, cultural references, and a deep connection to the human experience. His farewell collection was a testament to the power of fashion to transcend the superficial and become something deeply personal. Demna’s Balenciaga will live on as a symbol of this revolution, where high fashion meets individuality, and where tradition and innovation coexist in perfect harmony.