Demna Gvasalia’s Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2017 collection is
the most amusing thing I ‘ve registered in fashion sphere since Celine’s set of
dresses resembling monstrous plastic-travel-storage –laundry-shopping-bags in
2014.
Vivid punchy colors neutralized by austere hues, trashy
patterns against eternal pinstripes, accessories magnified ad absurdum (looking at you monstrous evergreen bags and way
over-the-knee boots) crowned by unapologetic attitude of cold kids of eastern
bloc.
Demna was born in 1981, Tbilisi, back-then Soviet Union
Georgia, which to me, being a compatriot from former ost-bloc country, brings somehow
his persona to my liking at rather
subliminal level. I might be wrong but
it seems to me that his work at Balenciaga accentuates approximation, a mode
well known to fashion-savvy yet short of resources, putting together ensembles, which roughly resemble their
style aspirations. What else is one going to do when a) in retail there is
close to nothing, b) even if there is something, it is effectively out of
reach?
Demna made a full circle creating a look that
inspirationally feeds on non-affluent but put ridiculous price-tag on it. Now, those with more or less means, both can
look similarly in, regardless the pecuniary worth of their outfits (but those
who know-they know). Formula perfectly calculated for success. Subversive?
Maybe. In any case, Demna, I (think) I get it. And I love it.
