Balenciaga: Winter 18

Before opening or even contemplating the purchase of this book, know that it covers Balenciaga in its current iteration and not Balenciaga as in The Master of Us All or the designer in all of his glory. This is the brand as seen through the eyes of its current Russian designer Demna Gvasalia, who is definitely out there to shock and shake up the business of fashion.

If you are not a fan of this current designer’s interpretation of this fabled heritage brand then you will simply have no problem in leaving this book on the shelf. If you are fan of the brand in its present iteration or one of those fashion folks who is into the latest and greatest of fashion trends then this is a book for you.

The most likely comparison to this pictorial chronicle would be those by Robert Fairer: McQueen Unseen, Galliano Unseen, and Marc Jacobs Unseen. What this book is lacking is any text at all and the panache, skillset, and finesse that Fairer brings to his books. Balenciaga Winter 18 includes runway and behind-the-scenes images of this one single collection, and thus comes off more as a look book rather than a visual diary of this designer in connection to the brand. What is curious about the book, and it’s almost impossible to explain, is that it gives some sort of “Sprousian” feeling or vibe with its presentation.

The real question is why the book was even published, since within literally days of its release, the newest Fall/ Winter 2019 collection will be shown in Paris, rendering these clothes way obsolete, absent from all stores, or possibly no longer fashionable except for the label.