Balenciaga Shows Ballooning Capes, Ostrich Feathers in Piccioli’s Haute Couture Debut for the Brand
The collection mixed vivid color, couture craft and homages to Cristóbal Balenciaga, while Gigi Hadid returned to the runway for the first time since February.
- On Wednesday, designer Pierpaolo Piccioli debuted his first haute couture collection for Balenciaga on the grounds of the Cite Universitaire in Paris, presenting models in ballooning gowns and ostrich-feathered pants under the midday sun.
- Piccioli, who previously spent 16 years as creative director of Valentino, took over at Balenciaga a year ago and is shifting the brand away from predecessor Demna's "ugly" oversized streetwear aesthetic.
- Designs featured large balloon hems and rounded jackets evoking founder Cristobal Balenciaga's architectural style, with Piccioli emphasizing, "Human beings who are couture because couture is made by the people who live it."
- Gigi Hadid made a surprise runway appearance in a black chou dress, while model Yai closed the show in a 1967-inspired wedding gown as front-row guests included actors Demi Moore and Cynthia Erivo.
- Owned by the Kering luxury group, Balenciaga reinstated its haute couture collection in 2020 after suspending it in 1968, positioning Piccioli's debut as a pivotal moment in the brand's evolution.
20 Articles
20 Articles
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She practically took flight at Balenciaga’s latest fashion show.Gigi Hadid walks for Ralph Lauren on February 10, 2026.Credit: Getty ImagesThe GistGigi Hadid walked in Balenciaga’s latest fashion show during Paris Haute Couture Week on July 8.The model wore a cocoon of black feathers that extended from the top of her head down to her torso.Hadid last walked the runway five months ago.Gigi Hadid made a triumphant return to the runway on July 8 as…
In the courtyard of honour of the Cité Internationale Universitaire in Paris, at noon, the first fashion show by Pierpaolo Piccioli for Balenciaga immediately turns into an exercise of weather survival. The worldly frame capitulates in front of an implacable canicle, completely unpredictable for these latitudes. In [...] The article Balenciaga, the couture debut of Pierpaolo Piccioli: under the sun of Paris comes a new idea of high fashion comes…
Pierpaolo Piccioli Paints a New Chapter for Balenciaga Couture
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty ImagesFor creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli’s couture debut at Balenciaga, models paced the palatial steps at the International University City of Paris wearing all shades of electric pink, neon orange and brilliant mint green. Hooded feather cocoons—like the one worn by Gigi Hadid, who made her couture week debut at the show—and skirts densely sculpted from tulle added high-fashion drama that recalled…
Balenciaga shows ballooning capes, ostrich feathers in Piccioli’s haute couture debut for the brand
By Helen Reid PARIS, July 8 (Reuters) - Models in ballooning gowns, voluminous capes and pants embroidered with ostrich feathers prowled a circular catwalk under the baking midday sun in designer Pierpaolo Piccioli's debut haute couture collection in...
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