From Ikea bags to a Prince homage: Balenciaga gets the Vetement’s treatment

The show everyone is talking about

This week, Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia - the man who also helms cool AF elevated streetwear label Vetements – unveiled his first ever men’s collection at the brand, for spring/summer 2017. As this was also the French heritage house’s debut men’s catwalk show in its 99-year history, the fashion industry has been on the edge of their front row seats in anticipation of this much-hyped unveiling.

And they weren’t left disappointed by a show that included the usual parodies on everyday items (remember, this is the designer behind the re-appropriated DHL logo t-shirt and Justin [Bieber] 4Ever haute hoodies): from tongue-in-cheek ‘Balenziaga’ business cards tucked into the top pockets of suit jackets, to Ikea Frakta carrier bag inspired hold-alls.

The suit-heavy collection ranged from pumped up jackets with uncle Fester-esque XL shoulders, to shrunk-in-the-wash super-tight silhouettes. One particularly slim-fitting, purple snakeskin tank top and kickflare combo may have been an homage to the late artist, Prince.

Gvasalia's menswear mission, which he outlined in the show notes, is to 'define and assert new men’s silhouettes through tailoring.' So, next summer the men in your life may be investing in Dynasty-style shoulder pads, slinging an Ikea bag over their shoulder and heading off to work in stompy glam-rock platforms. Maybe.