Why balenciaga

Some two decades after Martin himself began creating them, the Margiela blazer remains the gold standard of the gallerist uniform, at least in New York. And Helmut Lang worked with Jenny Holzer not simply as a collaborator but something like a true design partner.

The outliers for that period are Armani fanatic Larry Gagosian and Mary Boone, whose arsenal of Chanel suits helped her burnish her reputation as one of the first blue-chip mega-dealers. But Balenciaga, artists and arbiters say, approaches fashion more like the art world approaches its own craft. The idea of artists—many of whom take as their subject the dislocating qualities of late capitalism—wearing an earnestly luxurious brand seems ridiculous at a moment when no one trusts money or power.

Balenciaga seems to see fashion as a system to engage with, explore, challenge, and subvert, rather than as a luxury niche of consumer culture that drives trends. Think of the time they put the logo of their parent company, Kering, on a sweatshirt.

Balenciaga, instead, mines the way luxury has been conflated with power and money—the undeniable seduction of the beauty of an object, of wealth, and of status that fashion can trick people into believing is accessible to everyone. As visual art often does, Balenciaga exaggerates habits to make them legible as such, but it resists singular interpretation or even the mere titillation of self-contradiction. The move also comes as some brands strive to diversify from streetwear.

While the category is still growing quickly, it has become an overused reference in the last few years. Gvasalia himself has voiced the need to return emphasis from uniqueness and scarcity of the product, typical of the streetwear model, to craftsmanship. To receive the Vogue Business newsletter, sign up here. Comments, questions or feedback?

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How much are Balenciaga shoes and why? The Triple S and Track sneakers are the only models to be made in China, using lighter, more expensive soles. Balenciaga is comfortable! Despite the size, the iconic chunky sneakers are light on the feet, and the Speed sneakers fit just like a pair of socks: the memory foam sole provides extra cushioning and adapts itself to the shape of the feet.

Balenciaga is a luxury status symbol. And that comes with a higher price tag! Previous Article Wear the latest outerwear innovation with Stone Island.

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