The Quiet Exit
Balenciaga‘s Fall 2025 couture fashion show review
By Mackenzie Richard Zuckerman
As Demna presented his final couture collection for Balenciaga, anticipation was high for a grand farewell that would encapsulate his decade-long tenure. Yet, what we witnessed was a collection that felt more like a quiet reflection than a dramatic finale, hinting at a thoughtful transition for the house.
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
Disciplined Drama
In this collection, Demna seemed to embrace a more pared-back aesthetic, revisiting familiar silhouettes and themes rather than pushing boundaries. While this approach may not have delivered the element of surprise that some anticipated, it reflected a desire to create a clean slate for his successor, Pierpaolo. This collection, photographed throughout Paris, was as much a tribute to the city’s influence on Demna’s career as it was a nod to Balenciaga’s legacy of perfection.
While the silhouettes and construction bore Demna’s unmistakable hand—precision tailoring, voluminous coats, and veiled theatrics—the overall energy felt deliberately subdued. Gone were the overt provocations or meme-ready moments. In their place, a more introspective tone emerged, one that seemed to whisper rather than shout. The palette leaned into quietude: stark blacks, ivory whites, soft metallics. Even the most intricate pieces, like the architectural gowns, carried a certain restraint—as though the designer was pulling inward, editing himself. There was beauty here, but it was filtered through a lens of discipline and detachment, reinforcing the notion that this was not a spectacle, but a parting statement. One could argue that in this silence, Demna may have said more about his evolution than ever before.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
In the end, Demna’s final collection felt like a contemplative close to his chapter at Balenciaga, marked by a certain self-referential quality. This approach can be a double-edged sword: while it can honor a designer’s legacy, it can also risk feeling repetitive.
In this case, it seemed to be a quiet nod to his own journey and the house’s heritage, leaving us with a sense of closure rather than a bold finale. Ultimately, it feels like a respectful passing of the torch, setting the stage for a new creative vision to emerge.
