Demna's Last Hurrah!
For his final Balenciaga ready-to-wear collection, Spring 2026, Demna revisited his decade-long tenure, pulling key pieces from the archives to celebrate this closing chapter.
A poignant Spring 2026 offering, the collection serves as a profound retrospective of Demna’s transformative decade at the helm of the storied French house. Titled “Exactitudes,” making it less about new thematic directions and more a meticulously curated “greatest hits” album, remixing the defining codes and archetypes that have come to define his impactful tenure.
Demna weaves together pieces from 35 different past collections with new designs and even garments from his own personal wardrobe. This unique approach, described by the designer as a “homecoming,” offers a comprehensive overview of his signature silhouettes, volumes, and attitudes. Featuring tailored pieces: blazers and overcoats boasting his signature exaggerated shoulders and nipped waists. Highlights also include massively oversized seven-layer coats, the now-iconic Balenciaga-fied IKEA bag in vivid blue, and form-fitting sheer dresses.
The collection’s title, “Exactitudes,” is a nod to the long-running photographic series by Ari Versluis and Ellie Uyttenbroek, known for their meticulous classification of individuals by dress and identity. This inspiration underscores Demna’s anthropological approach to fashion, his ongoing questioning of “what people actually wear, how they wear it, and what the fine line is between” real life and runway.
Adding a surprising and highly anticipated element, the Spring 2026 collection features a collaboration with pop icon Britney Spears. Her most iconic portraits are emblazoned across T-shirts and accessories, with the launch also coinciding with a new Balenciaga Music playlist curated by Spears herself, including remixes of her famous tracks.
Love him or not, Demna’s decade at Balenciaga has been groundbreaking, proving that in fashion, nothing is sacred and that even the most established houses can be radically redefined. The Spring 2026 collection is a powerful expression of his vision, a comprehensive and deeply personal ode to the “Balenciaga-isms” that have left an indelible mark on the industry.
Check out the images below.
PHOTO CREDIT: Balenciaga
