10 moments that defined Demna’s 10 years at Balenciaga

Over the past decade at Balenciaga, Demna didn’t just dress a new generation—he dismantled codes, re-cut silhouettes, and shoved the runway into places it had no business going. From mud pits and chip bags couture to cartoon cameos, he turned Balenciaga into fashion’s most disobedient house.

For some, it was a revival; an audacious update of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy. For others, it was a high-fashion hoax. But love it or loathe it, you couldn’t look away.

As his final couture show approaches, we look back at 10 moments that prove it was never just about clothes.

1. The Debut, FW16

Demna’s first look hit the runway like a slap. Classic Balenciaga silhouettes, like the cocoon silhouette reimagined through anoraks and puffer jackets.

2. The Triple S Sneaker, FW17 Menswear

A silhouette that changed the language of footwear. Ugly became aspirational. Suddenly, everyone was running after the dad trainer.

3. The Couture Reset, Fall 2021 Couture

No music, no fanfare. Blacked-out salons and silence so loud it left a dent. The house’s first couture show in over five decades and Demna handed us a fashion mic drop.

4. The Mud Show, SS23

The message: fashion doesn’t float above the world, it is in the soil with us. Brutal, timely, unforgettable.

5. The Simpsons Screening, SS22

The FROW was replaced by Springfield’s finest. A 10-minute episode that packed more commentary than most seasons. A masterstroke of mass culture meets the meme-literate power of fashion.

6. The Arena Tote, SS17 Menswear

A ₹1.7L calfskin version of an Ikea shopping bag. This was not just viral bait; this was Demna’s commentary on consumerism and the absurdity of value in fashion.

7. The Lay’s x Balenciaga leather chip bag, SS23

Another object of hyperluxury satire.