The Cruise 2025 season has, thus far, transported us to Marseilles for Chanel, London for Gucci, Barcelona for Louis Vuitton and we’ve jetted off to Shanghai, China for Balenciaga. The brand’s creative director Demna ventured to China’s central coast, the country’s biggest city and global financial hub to unveil his latest collection. Against the city’s metropolis and majestic skyline and set outside the Jean Nouvel-designed Pudong Art Museum at nightfall, not even a torrential downpour was enough to stop the models from taking to the runway. Throughout the collection, puffer jackets became bags and gym bags morphed into evening gowns. Elsewhere, the Balenciaga sneaker received an update, now towering to a height of 16cm. Demna also unveiled a collaboration with sportswear brand Under Armour, while the closing look was crafted entirely out of upcycled plastic bags.
