Kicking off today’s fashion festivities during Paris Fashion Week was the Balenciaga showcase, with creative director Demna staging his latest for the fabled Paris-based fashion house on location within the French capital’s historic Les Invalides. Guests like Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams and Lisa Rinna flocked in their droves to watch from the front row as dust bags, backpacks and nylon gym bags were fashioned into tops, skirts and dresses. The dramatic and Insta-worthy set consisted of ginormous screens that showed different contrasting landscapes and electronic content – all specially generated for the occasion using AI technology. In addition to taking inspo from signature Cristóbal Balenciaga house codes, Denma took a deconstructed approach when designing the collection and for the finale gave us a gown made entirely of repurposed lingerie.

Read below the reactions of theFashionSpot’s forum members:

“New low. Hard to watch.” [bennyboy]

“The oversized trend sort of annoys me more than Y2K. Those big shoulders really need to go. When the show started I thought it was solid but then it got progressively worse… what a nightmare! If Demna has to stay, then he has to do formal/evening wear only.” [thiago]

“I can’t with this brand. It’s beyond old-fashioned and passé. The worst. I have the biggest prejudices against it.” [Creative]

“Please, stop it with the clown shoes!” [Machinegumm]

“The last half of the show is really a disaster. This guy is not supposed to be gone by now?” [ghostwriter10549]

“Gosh, the music and video projections were annoying as hell. There were some really chic dresses at the start and some nice new bags. That’s it. The menswear offerings were all vile.” [FiLReD]

“So démodé. Desperately trying to cling onto any relevance they once had. This is just sad.” [gallianostan]

“Still very ugly and still deplorable but I wasn’t expecting anything new!! We’ve all moved on from ‘ugly fashion’ yet he’s still stuck there. The insult for me is using Isabeli, Frankie, Maggie and Tasha in this travesty – leave our icons out of this mess!” [mteb123]

See all the looks from the Balenciaga Fall 2024 collection and join the conversation, here.

The post Forum Members Review Demna’s ‘Hard to Watch’ Balenciaga Collection for Fall 2024 appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Everyone loves a flashback, right? Here at theFashionSpot, ahead of us descending upon each fashion capital, we’ve been flashing it back a whole decade to the Fall 2014 season of New York, London, Milan and now Paris Fashion Week.

Just like in the other cities, the fashion landscape was a whole lot different within the French capital. Raf Simons was the creative force behind Christian Dior, Hedi Slimane was heading up Saint Laurent, Riccardo Tisci was still proving every inch his worth at Givenchy and Alexander Wang presented his third mainline collection for Balenciaga while the much-loved Phoebe Philo was still winning us over at Celine.

John Galliano’s eponymous label was a fixture on the PFW schedule (designed by Bill Gaytten), as was Haider Ackermann whose collection showcased the strength of the Colombian-born French designer’s innate design talent and impeccable skill. Anthony Vaccarello’s very own namesake creations were on full display too. The Fall 2014 season also bestowed upon us the late Karl Lagerfeld’s unforgettable supermarket spectacle at Chanel and Sarah Burton’s Alexander McQueen collection felt like a magical and mythological fairytale was coming to life before our very eyes.

Scroll further to flash it back and be fully immersed in Paris Fashion Week’s Fall 2014 season:

Alexander McQueen:

Anthony Vaccarello:

Balenciaga:

Balmain:

Chanel:

Celine:

Chloé:

Christian Dior:

Comme des Garçons:

Dries Van Noten:

Givenchy:

Haider Ackermann:

Jean Paul Gaultier:

John Galliano:

Lanvin:

Louis Vuitton:

Miu Miu:

Rick Owens:

Saint Laurent:

Valentino:

The post Flashback 10 Years Ago to the Fall 2014 Season of Paris Fashion Week appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Since becoming creative director of Balenciaga in 2015, Denma has commissioned a whole multitude of photographers to capture his vision for the famed fashion house. The Georgian designer’s selections for the brand’s advertising campaigns have included everyone from Mark Borthwick and Charlie White to Nadia Lee Cohen and Tyler Mitchell. Joining the ranks with the unveiling of Balenciaga’s latest campaign installment is Dutch photographic duo Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. The creative twosome capture a handful of personalities inside closet spaces, including Kim Kardashian (shot inside her own closet), Nicola Peltz Beckham, Paloma Elsesser, Patricia Field, Devon Lee Carlson and Roh Yoon-seo. The series of images helps herald the return of Balenciaga’s iconic Le City handbag.

Read below the reactions of theFashionSpot’s forum members:

“What happened to Balenciaga? This is THE WORST CAMPAIGN ever… SO CHEAP!! Horrible Suzane Koller styling. Inez & Vinoodh’s photography is of course so cheap, but somehow even more horrible than usual. Appalling!” declared 90sFan.

“I love I&V to death, but this is abysmal,” mikel chimed in.

RMDV agreed, echoing: “Abysmal is THE word!”

“It’s almost admirable that they keep doubling down. Like, they have to know Peltz, Facetuned to the gods, is not going to move product. What’s really going on here?” asked forum member KoV.

“Cheap,” described a disapproving thiago.

“I feel like Kim is shooting herself in the foot by staying the face of a brand that is completely over,” laughed sussieinmcswanny.

See more from Balenciaga’s ‘closet’ campaign and join the on-going conversation, here.

The post Kim Kardashian, Patricia Field & Others Pose in Their Closets for Balenciaga’s New Campaign appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Balenciaga is just like every other fashion brand on the planet, and requires a handful of brand ambassadors on speed dial. The Paris-based fashion house is adding to its repertoire of brand ambassadors for 2024 – officially adding Kim Kardashian to the list for 2024. Kim, a friend and long-time collaborator of Balenciaga creative director Denma, joins actresses Michelle Yeoh and Nicole Kidman who both signed on the dotted line with Balenciaga back in 2023.

Perhaps it goes without saying that the American reality TV star turned billionaire businesswoman is well-affiliated with the brand, prior to making it official this month.

After all, for years, Kim has been decked out in Balenciaga on numerous red carpets across the globe. We are quite certain you do not need reminding of Kim’s Denma-designed nternet-breaking creation at 2021’s Met Gala. Denma has also called upon Kim to front Balenciaga’s advertising campaigns (for both the Spring 2022 and Fall 2022 seasons) and walked the Fall 2022 Haute Couture showcase during Paris Fashion Week.

However, the partnership has not been without its controversy. Last year, Kim was “re-evaluating” her relationship with the fashion brand after its strange bondage-themed advertising campaign featuring children came into question. Now, however, it appears it’s all water under a bridge.

Stay tuned for more of Kim x Balenciaga…. because we just know it’s coming!

The post Kim Kardashian Named an Official Balenciaga Brand Ambassador appeared first on theFashionSpot.

If like us and you visit your local newsstand on the regular, you will no doubt be fairly used to Victoria Beckham greeting you, splashed across the covers of just about every major publication. From the covers of Vogue (Mrs. Beckham recently scored her 31st Vogue cover appearance via Vogue France) to the covers of Harper’s Bazaar (and everything else in between) – Victoria has covered them all. As a result, we aren’t at all surprised to see the fashion mogul make a return to the cover of Allure for December 2023. Almost a whole decade after her last, Victoria is welcomed back onto the beauty-focused magazine for a fourth time, as she poses for photographer Sølve Sundsbø in a glitzy Balenciaga dress.

Yet despite the seemingly best efforts of everyone on set of the cover shoot, members of theFashionSpot forums weren’t so smitten with the end result. “Why are they wasting money on this?” asked blueorchid.

“This is wrong. You shouldn’t be able to be 30 years in the spotlight unless you truly deserve it,” shared a disapproving KaKe.

Also far from impressed was forum member vogue28, commenting: “Sølve Sundsbø has produced some pretty incredible beauty portraits, not sure why this turned out to be such a disaster! I do like the coloring and the styling for a December cover but the spotlight effect doesn’t work and it feels somewhat… cold and sterile.”

A hit or miss of an Allure cover? Chime in and await more from the magazine’s December 2023 issue, here.

The post Allure Shines a Spotlight on Victoria Beckham for December 2023 appeared first on theFashionSpot.

We don’t know where you’ve been if you didn’t already know Balenciaga had transported us to Los Angeles, California for the unveiling of their Fall 2023 (aka Pre-Fall 2024) collection. Staged December 2, on one bright Saturday afternoon on the oak-lined Windsor Boulevard, Demna’s interpretation of the City of Angels (inspired by the quintessential LA lifestyle) ranged from casual everyday looks to full-on red carpet glamour, with Nicole Kidman (as a newly-minted Balenciaga brand ambassador) sat perched front row to complete the buzz-worthy affair. As the iconic Hollywood sign made for the perfect backdrop, Cardi B and Brigitte Nielsen made surprise appearances on the runway and a surprise collaboration with celeb-approved supermarket Erewhon reared its head too.

Scroll further for how the unfiltered members of theFashionSpot forums felt about Demna’s latest offering for the fabled French fashion house:

“Demna’s point of view has not evolve after all these years. It’s boring. Provoke me to feel something about your clothes like you did with that Wall Street collection. His vision is already a parody of what fashion has become, so why go for the most obvious points of LA culture? You are cheapening Balenciaga even more. I mean Juicy Couture-inspired track suits? So 2017.” [ghostwriter10549]

“The trap beat makes this even more obnoxious and ugly than it already it is…” [disco94]

“How can a house go from being the pinnacle of Parisian haute couture to encapsulating literally everything that is wrong with the industry? How does this happen? Who allowed this to happen?” [gallianostan]

“So bad. Seriously, what happened to this brand?” [Ruito]

“Very weak collection. Demna’s talent has proven to be limited unfortunately, unless he’s so drowned in his own gimmicks that he doesn’t allow himself to move forward.” [WAVES]

“Yuck, what a mess! Some of the looks are so-bad copies of Chanel, Alexandre Vauthier and Versace. And those massive trainers, ugh..” [Mayaan]

“Does he think he’s clever? He really can’t be this delusional at this point in his career that he thinks this is landing. Is he aware of how predictable he is? Anyone could have guessed that this is exactly what his LA collection would have looked like.” [lookatme]

“This collection is as tired as am I watching those repetitive ideas season after season.” [Mrs.T]

See all the looks from the Balenciaga Pre-Fall 2024 collection and join the conversation, here.

The post Forum Members Review Balenciaga’s Pre-Fall 2024 Collection, Staged in Los Angeles appeared first on theFashionSpot.

You may find it hard to believe that Balenciaga never had any official brand ambassadors on its rolodex until July of this year, and started off with Isabelle Huppert and Krit Amnuaydechkorn. Added to that list is Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, who makes her official debut as ambassador to the storied Paris-based fashion brand with the unveiling of the Spring 2024 advertising campaign. Photographed by Tyler Mitchell and with Suzanne Koller on styling duties, Yeoh is accompanied by models Eva Herzigova, Soo Joo Park, Malgosia Bela, Arthur del Beato and Khadim Sock. The cast assemble on location together within the French capital and under the night sky, pose with Paris’ iconic Place Vendôme location as the backdrop.

Members of our forums soon began debating over the outcome of Balenciaga’s latest campaign series. “These literally look like selfies,” GoldenPetals critiqued straight away.

“I like the idea but it looks quite cheap,” Creative chimed in.

“No budget at all,” voiced a majorly underwhelmed Nimsay.

“I thought it was a lookbook!” exclaimed zacatecas570.

Vogue28 wasn’t buying it either. “It’s all just so underwhelming and feels like a total non-event. The hype surrounding this brand is truly starting to die down and it’s starting to show,” he wrote.

“Yes, no/low budget, selfies, even an afterthought. And still leagues more creative, expensive-looking and high fashion than whatever American/British/French/Italian Vogues have been churning out,” defended Phuel.

WAVES was quick to defend the campaign too, commenting: “Low budget or not it fits the actual aesthetic of the brand. I’m not expecting much more from Balenciaga.”

See more from Balenciaga’s Spring 2024 advertising campaign and join the conversation, here.

The post Michelle Yeoh, Eva Herzigova & Others Front Balenciaga’s Spring 2024 Campaign appeared first on theFashionSpot.

The days are long gone in which Vogue reigned supreme – especially on French newsstands. Ever since Emmanuelle Alt departed the French fashion bible in 2021, magazines like ELLE France, Harper’s Bazaar France and Holiday have climbed the ranks to outshine the Condé Nast title. M Le Magazine du Monde is also one of those publications outdoing Vogue France and their most recent offering dedicated to all-things beauty is a true testament to that fact.
Covering the French weekly supplement dated October 28, 2023 is model Awar Odhiang, as part of the magazine’s endorsement of the ‘new faces’ within the world of modeling. The Canadian beauty born in South Sudan and current face of Saint Laurent flashes her vibrant and energetic smile in the chic black and white David Sims-shot cover photograph. The image is complete with former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt styling Odhiang in a plaid oversized Balenciaga blazer.

In another alternative cover (below), Georgian model Mathilda Gvarliani rocks Isabel Marant. Also part of the cover story are beauties Karolina Spakowski, Freya Nutter, Sarah Brown, Sacha Quenby, Mika Schneider, Farah Nieuwburg, Vika Evseeva and Bibi Breslin.

Check out the content of M Le Magazine du Monde‘s beauty-themed issue and share your thoughts over on theFashionSpot forums, here.

The post David Sims & Emmanuelle Alt Team Up for M Le Magazine du Monde’s Special Beauty Issue appeared first on theFashionSpot.

There can never be too many fashion-related TV shows for us to stream and divulge over, and immediately added to our must-watch list is Cristóbal Balenciaga, coming to Disney+ on January 19, 2024.
The series will chronicle the rise of the Spanish couturier from humble origins to fashion icon, with Alberto San Juan playing the starring role of Balenciaga. Created by Lourdes Iglesias, Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and José María Goenaga, the series will also include prominent and legendary figures from within the world of fashion including Carmel Snow (played by Gabrielle Lazure), Coco Chanel (played by Anouk Grinberg) and Christian Dior (played by Patrice Thibaud). The series will predominantly center around Balenciaga’s life following his move to Paris, in the wake of the Spanish Civil War. To say we cannot wait for January would be a major MAJOR understatement.
Watch the teaser trailer for Disney+’s Cristóbal Balenciaga below:

Join the countdown and share your thoughts on the teaser trailer over on theFashionSpot forums, here.

The post Watch: The Official Trailer for the Cristóbal Balenciaga Period Drama, Coming to Disney+ appeared first on theFashionSpot.

You’ve already encountered theFashionSpot’s Hits & Misses of New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week‘s Spring 2024 season and now its time to take a look at which collections received the most hype and engagement during fashion month, across all the four fashion capitals, right here on theFashionSpot.
We’ve rounded up the two most viewed and discussed collections from each of the four cites, and ranked them accordingly. Amassing over 40.000 views and endless amounts of discussion from our very own army of unfiltered fashion critics, which collection out of theFashionSpot’s top 8 generated the most buzz this season? Take a wild guess and scroll down for the results:

#8 Erdem Spring 2024 London:

Thread views: 2K | Comments: 21 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the Erdem Spring 2024 collection.

#7 LaQuan Smith Spring 2024 New York:

Thread views: 3K | Comments: 43 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the LaQuan Smith Spring 2024 collection.

#6 Burberry Spring 2024 London:

Thread views: 5K | Comments: 56 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the Burberry Spring 2024 collection.

#5 Helmut Lang Spring 2024 New York:

Thread views: 5K | Comments: 57 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the Helmut Lang Spring 2024 collection.

#4 Tom Ford Spring 2024 Milan:

Thread views: 5K | Comments: 70 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the Tom Ford Spring 2024 collection.

#3 Maison Margiela Spring 2024 Paris:

Thread views: 6K | Comments: 80 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the Maison Margiela Spring 2024 collection.

#2 Balenciaga Spring 2024 Paris:

Thread views: 8K | Comments: 96 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the Balenciaga Spring 2024 collection.

#1 Gucci Spring 2024 Milan:

Thread views: 12K | Comments: 150 (…and counting!)
See all the looks from the Gucci Spring 2024 collection.

The post Here’s theFashionSpot Forum’s Most Buzz-Worthy Collections of New York, London, Milan & Paris Fashion Week Spring 2024 appeared first on theFashionSpot.