Balenciaga Celebrates Couture and the People Who Make It Possible

After a year of anticipation following his appointment as Balenciaga's Creative Director, Pierpaolo Piccioli has finally unveiled his first Haute Couture collection: a masterful display of excellence that pays tribute to the maison's founder while celebrating the very essence of couture—savoir-faire.

Piccioli chose to take his final bow accompanied by the entire team of couturiers who brought the collection to life, a gesture that is not new for the designer, who had already done the same during his previous tenure at Valentino.

The brand, however, had already placed the spotlight on the creative process from the very beginning. One week before the show, Balenciaga removed every post from its Instagram account, choosing to start anew by introducing the people who make the garments seen on the runway possible. Their portraits and roles were shared alongside a message from Piccioli.

«Couture is made of people. It is made of their time, their attention, their spirit, and above all, their endless love. These are the people, the human beings who built this collection together with me. These are their faces, their hearts. This is the identity of Balenciaga Couture.»

Pierpaolo Piccioli

This attention to what happens behind the scenes is also reflected in the way the maison chose to present the collection, dedicating a storytelling moment to each look by highlighting the materials and techniques used in its creation—revealing that the true wonder of Haute Couture lies in the details.