Balenciaga

Admired by his peers and adored by his clients, Cristóbal Balenciaga mesmerised the fashion world with his unique approach to couture. While others were imagining outfits with classic cinched-in waists, he was designing sculptural dresses, and was the only one capable of mastering the craftsmanship and shapes. The Parisian fashion house is now more popular than ever, now watched over by the sharp and innovative eye of Demna. A designer famed for his irreverent approach to streetwear, Demna has managed to reinterpret Cristóbal Balenciaga's sense of chic and apply it to oversized jeans and sweatshirts, skin-tight evening dresses and cheeky accessories. These accessories, especially the sneakers, have become the hallmark of the Balenciaga house, with each new model surprising and captivating the brand's army of fans. Among them, the Triple S, which has made a name for itself across the world and seduced the most audacious fashionistas with its oversized chunky sole. The more recent - and sportier - Runners and Tracks seem on their way to replicating this success. Available in a wide range of colours, their mesh and leather design and athletic sole are attracting more and more followers and are available at Monnier Paris now. But far from relying on the notoriety of its sneakers, Balenciaga has been churning out plenty of It-bags, too. Its most recent, Le Cagole, is one such design: worn by the most influential figures on the scene, in a classic XS version and now in a bucket style, it has established itself as a fashion must-have in the space of just a few months. Its acolytes the Hourglass and the Neo City are no less popular either. The first, with its surprising structure and the addition of the signature B, has achieved classic status, while the second has made an unexpected comeback. Already iconic in the 2000s, the Neo City is back and winning over new fans thanks to its versatility, its practicality and its myriad of details that make it so audacious and bold.