Through a series of vignettes representing the various iconic moments Demna had during his time at Balenciaga, the exiting creative director pays tribute to the most ornate fashion inspirations that have inspired him over the years.

Basing the collection around the dress code of “La Bourgeoisie,” with elongated, face-framing collars and chic jackets made for both the ballroom and the modern day, it includes both subtle and direct references to founder M. Balenciaga.

The collection may have been shot in Paris, however it’s overall inspired by the days Demna once spent working towards his fashion goals in New York — a call back he recently made on his Instagram through a screenshot of an internship rejection from Balenciaga. 

Amongst the glamor, Kim Kardashian made an appearance in an ensemble inspired by Elizabeth Taylor. She donned a jacket filled with feathers as well as a pair of diamond pendant earrings that were once Taylor’s from the personal collection of Lorraine Schwartz. 

Additional looks took notes from Marilyn Monroe and the personal closet of Demna himself by way of corduroy pants and a minimalist structured gown. 

Though couture rarely follows the rules of streetwear, Demna in his last moments at the house designed the first-ever Balenciaga Couture sneaker, handcrafted using traditional shoemaking techniques. Additionally, briefcases are given a new purpose, reimagined into laptop cases resembling jewelry boxes.

Demna wrote to the attendees in Paris, “Fashion lives on the edge of tomorrow, driven not by what we know but the thrill of discovering what comes next.”