“Balenciaga by Demna”: A Free Retrospective of a Decade-Defining Fashion Tenure

From June 26 to July 9, 2025, Kering is hosting a free exhibition titled “Balenciaga par Demna” at its historic Laennec headquarters (40 rue de Sèvres, 7th arrondissement, Paris). The show offers a curated exploration of designer Demna Gvasalia’s bold, sculptural, and often provocative contributions to Balenciaga during his ten-year tenure. (sortiraparis.com)

What to Expect

• 101 Iconic Creations: Garments, footwear, and accessories spanning roughly 30 collections from 2015–2025, carefully selected to showcase Demna’s aesthetic themes—volume, proportion, repetition, satire, and luxury realism. 

• Multi-Sensory Experience: The exhibit starts with vintage invitations and ephemera, setting the tone before moving into the full display—complete with audio narration in Demna’s own voice and sculptural installations. 

• Sound, Story & Setting: The space is enriched with audio commentary and staged elements that balance conceptual depth with visceral impact, nestled in the historic former hospital’s chapel and corridors.

Why It Matters

• A Designer’s Farewell: The exhibit serves as a reflective capstone to Demna’s influential run at Balenciaga—right before he transitions to Gucci. It coincides with his final Spring 2026 collection debut. (fadmagazine.com)

• Fashion as Cultural Dialogue: With pieces like pantashoes, structured clutches, and NASA-inspired parkas, the show defines how Demna challenged and reshaped the norms of luxury fashion. (wallpaper.com)

• Fully Accessible & Free: Open by appointment during and after Paris Fashion Week, and requiring only online registration—making it a rare, inclusive cultural event in haute couture. (sortiraparis.com)

Visit Details

• 📅 Dates: June 26 – July 9, 2025

• 📍 Location: Kering Group’s Laennec building, 40 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris

• 🎟 Admission: Free (register in advance at exposition.balenciaga.com) (sortiraparis.com, vmagazine.com)

• 🕰 By appointment only—book early to secure a slot.

In Context

This retrospective highlights a major moment in fashion history—when a creative director uses runway collections as cultural statements. It stands alongside broader conversations about fashion’s evolution, brand stewardship, and the resonance of designer exits. ( vogue.com)