V News: Gucci Aria
Gucci or Balenciaga?
Gucci or Balenciaga?
When great minds in the fashion industry come together, a miracle is born. As part of this season’s Gucci Aria collection, creative director Alessandro Michele “hacks” Balenciaga, merging the logos and codes of the respective houses. While bold, it’s clear that the pieces come from a place of mutual respect and appreciation, with ready-to-wear items and accessories experimenting in reciprocity between houses.
Details organically reinforce the grace of Gucci and brilliance of Balenciaga, as well as the underlying opulence and extraordinary paths of each. A must-have highlight of Gucci Aria is a new version of the Italian house’s iconic Jackie 1961 handbag in black leather, this time printed with a white Balenciaga logo. The Gucci 1955 Horsebit shoulder bag references the GG Supreme canvas and is overlaid with the Balenciaga print. Meanwhile, the Balenciaga Hourglass top handle bag is adorned with a Gucci Flora and GG Supreme canvas, offering culminations of the aesthetics of both. So the timeless question of “Gucci or Balenciaga?” finally gets its answer: both.
Makeup Akiko Owada (The Wall Group) using Chanel Beauty Hair Panos Papandrianos (The Wall Group) using Bumble & bumble Models Abby Joy Novak, Erica Honing, Izzy Wild, Vaquel (The Industry) Digital technician Tara Chumpelik Photo assistants Ernesto Urdaneta, Ariana Rodriguez
Stylist assistant Sam Knoll Makeup assistant Mika Omura, Shoko Sawatari, Jonathan Wu Hair assistants Christina “Harley” Beman, Miller Brackett, Deandre Peoples Location Pier59 Studios