Today, Balenciaga released their Pre-AW16 collection online in a lookbook modelled by the legendary Stella Tennant, Dazed cover star Julia Nobis and Marland Backus, who walked in the house’s last show.
Although apparently designed by an in-house team after Alexander Wang’s departure, the collection does feel distinctly like the work of newly installed designer Demna Gvasalia, who made his official debut back in March over Paris fashion week with a collection that featured structured tailoring, branded windbreakers and some pretty major platforms.
The Pre-AW16 collection, however, contains an oversized hoodie, floral prints and various pairs of slick thigh high boots – all motifs which have cropped up in Gvasalia’s collections at Vetements. Stylist and Dazed contributing fashion editor Lotta Volkova also shared one of the images on Instagram, suggesting her own involvement.
Update: the images have been confirmed as the work of photographer Mark Borthwick by make-up artist Inge Grognard on Instagram. Known for his work in the 1990s with Martin Margiela, the English image-maker’s work is defined by a low-fi, slightly washed out aesthetic – and often featured Tennant.
Watch Balenciaga’s AW16 show below:
