The ‘Balenciaga by Demna’ exhibition opened today at Kering’s headquarters in Paris, marking a significant retrospective of Demna’s decade at the helm of the fashion house from 2015 to 2025.
Timed to coincide with both Paris Men’s Fashion Week and Haute Couture Week, the exhibition will provide a rare, in-depth look at Demna’s design evolution and influence on contemporary fashion.
It expands on his Spring 2026 collection, titled ‘Exactitudes’, which marks his final ready-to-wear line for the house. The exhibition showcases the design codes, silhouettes, volumes and attitudes that have defined his work over the past ten years.
Visitors begin their journey with objects originally used as collection invitations, followed by 101 curated pieces selected by Demna. These include 20 pieces on loan from the Palais Galliera fashion museum. The exhibits represent complete looks, individual garments, accessories and footwear from 30 collections spanning a decade.
The exhibition explores Demna’s conceptual and thematic contributions, including reinterpretations of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s original design principles, the use of proportion, readymade objects, trompe-l’œil, and upcycling. It also reflects Demna’s ongoing examination of the contemporary wardrobe and fashion’s relationship with luxury and function.
Fifty of the exhibits feature an audio system with narration by Demna himself, offering insight into the creative process and significance behind each piece.
All exhibits are presented on custom mounts or within dedicated installations, including hyperrealistic sculptures of models, dry cleaner-style hangers, and double-sided displays showing both garments and their historical references.
Art also plays a role in the exhibition, with several pieces developed in collaboration with artists from the Balenciaga Art in Stores project. These include the final look from the Summer 2022 ‘Red Carpet’ presentation, worn by Demna and reimagined by American artist Mark Jenkins. Six shoes and accessories are also featured within Andrew J. Greene’s ‘Timeless Symbols’ series, mounted on stainless-steel stanchions and motorised for rotation.
An official catalogue, styled like a glossy fashion magazine, accompanies the exhibition and includes visuals created specifically for the publication.
The exhibition is on view from the 26th of June through to the 9th of July. The exhibition is open to the public by registration at exposition.balenciaga.com.
