Balenciaga’s seasonal presentations have become increasingly ambitious in recent years, from its half-submerged, post-apocalyptic dystopia to building its very own video game during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
But for the brand’s latest Spring/Summer 2022 collection reveal, it took an entirely new tack: collaborating with the creators of The Simpsons to premier a one-off episode amid a spectacular event at Paris Fashion Week.
The clip, which was shown in Paris last night, features Homer Simpson convincing Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia to loan a gown to Marge – and culminates in the entire town of Springfield appearing in a Balenciaga fashion show. Popular characters including Mo the Bartender, Chief Wiggum, and Smithers are shown in animated versions of past Balenciaga looks, in front of a cartoon audience that includes the Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
To premier the clip, the brand took over a theatre in the Place du Chatelet, and used the opportunity to provide a meta-commentary on the vapidity of celebrity. Guests arriving to the show were invited to pose on a red carpet in front of a sea of photographers, unaware that they were being live-streamed to those already inside the venue, and on social media.
Blended in on the red carpet, and amongst the invitees taking their seats at the theatre, were a host of guests wearing looks from the new collection, including Balenciaga atelier staff, friends of the house, and a starry lineup of celebrities — Cardi B, Offset, Lewis Hamilton, Juergen Teller, Isabelle Huppert, Naomi Campbell and Elliot Page were among those showcasing clothing from the brand.