Balenciaga has unveiled its first Summer 26 women's collection under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli.
Title: "THE HEARTBEAT." As the name suggests, the collection is themed around the heartbeat of life and aims to "redefine humanity."

Courtesy of Balenciaga

Humanity and Structure—The "Air" That Dwells Between Body and Fabric
In his debut collection, Piccioli sought to fuse the architectural aesthetic pursued by Cristóbal Balenciaga with contemporary emotion. Clothing is not simply a structure; rather, the "air between the body and the fabric" is treated as a third element, and the rhythm that flows through this space determines the look of the garment. It is a return to Balenciaga's origins, where lightness resides within strict forms, and design was created for the dynamic body.

Courtesy of Balenciaga

Neo Gazar - A New Material Reconstructing Tradition
The symbol of this season is the new material "Neo Gazar." Piccioli has reinterpreted the "gazar" fabric developed by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1958 and reconstructed it with modern techniques and sensibilities. The two-layered, double-faced fabric has an organic, flowing texture on the front side created by irregular slub yarns, while the organza on the back is woven with lamezette yarn, a blend of silk and wool, giving it both softness and structure. As a result, Neo-gazar has been elevated to a symbolic material for a new era as a "fabric with movement while maintaining a sculptural form."

Courtesy of Balenciaga

Archives dressed in modernity: leather, chinos and pure cuts
The collection is a continuous process of construction and redefinition. Reinterpreting the vocabulary of the modern wardrobe – leather jackets, chinos, T-shirts and knitwear – the collection finds a “poetics of the everyday” in architectural forms. Embroidery, feathers and floral motifs function as structural elements rather than decorative, while the purity of cuts radically redefines the body.

Courtesy of Balenciaga

Creation as a Heartbeat—"Creating from the Heart"
In his presentation notes, Piccioli wrote:

"Our hearts are a rhythm we share, and our different beats create individuality. Our souls are in the same place."

As these words suggest, for him, fashion is an "act of love and connection," and the creative process itself is a testament to humanity. The fragrance that permeated the show venue, "Getaria," is a name inspired by Balenciaga's birthplace. The presentation allowed visitors to experience the "pulsating brand" not just visually, but with all of their senses.

Courtesy of Balenciaga

Emotional freedom amidst rigor
Pierpaolo Piccioli's Balenciaga heralded the dawn of a new era in that it introduced "emotion" into architectural beauty. Traditional techniques, reconstructed materials, and a design philosophy centered on "heart" are its hallmarks. This is not simply a continuation of the brand's legacy; it is a "recalibration" of Cristóbal Balenciaga's spirit for the modern era. Different heartbeats resonate with each other and become one soul - at that moment, fashion comes to life again.

Courtesy of Balenciaga
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Courtesy of Balenciaga



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