Source: Vogue
Summary
Balenciaga’s Fall 2023 show was a surreal experience where guests were surrounded by a 360-degree LED screen displaying a simulated cityscape. The show featured 77 looks, including oversized coats and avant-garde silhouettes. Creative Director Demna Gvasalia said the collection was inspired by the “world we live in today.” The show’s format was designed to disorient and immerse the audience. According to Vogue, the show’s set was a commentary on the “simulated reality” of modern life.
Our Reading
The look feels familiar. Balenciaga’s Fall 2023 show was a rehashing of familiar themes and aesthetics. Oversized coats and avant-garde silhouettes have been seen before. The collection’s commentary on simulated reality feels like a reiteration of previous shows. The show’s format, while disorienting, was reminiscent of past experiments with immersive experiences. The trend returns with a new name: “simulated reality” is just a rebranding of “surrealism.”
The Revival of Surrealism
The influence of surrealism on fashion is nothing new. Designers have long been drawn to the movement’s emphasis on the irrational and the unknown. From Salvador Dalí’s collaborations with Elsa Schiaparelli to the surrealist-inspired designs of Alexander McQueen, the relationship between fashion and surrealism is well-documented. Balenciaga’s Fall 2023 show is just the latest iteration of this trend.
The Disorienting Effect
The use of a 360-degree LED screen to create a simulated cityscape was a deliberate attempt to disorient the audience. This tactic is not new in fashion. Designers have long used unconventional formats to challenge and subvert audience expectations. From the avant-garde shows of the 1980s to the immersive experiences of today, the goal is always the same: to create a sense of unease and uncertainty.
The Oversized Coat: A Familiar Silhouette
The oversized coat has been a staple of fashion for decades. From the voluminous coats of the 1980s to the current crop of oversized silhouettes, this trend has been around for a while. Balenciaga’s Fall 2023 show featured several iterations of the oversized coat, each one more avant-garde than the last. The silhouette is familiar, but the execution is new.
The Commentary on Simulated Reality
The commentary on simulated reality is a timely one. In an era where social media dominates our lives, the line between reality and simulation is increasingly blurred. Balenciaga’s Fall 2023 show was a reflection of this phenomenon. The use of a simulated cityscape and the emphasis on disorientation were both attempts to comment on the state of modern life.
The Trend Returns with a New Name
The trend of commenting on simulated reality is not new. Designers have been exploring this theme for years. What is new is the way it is being presented. Balenciaga’s Fall 2023 show was a rebranding of this trend, with a new name and a new aesthetic. The result was a show that felt both familiar and new.
Author: Evan Null
