Balenciaga Creative Director Demna has been named a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, recognising his impact on fashion and culture. The award was presented by France Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.
Balenciaga Creative Director Demna has been named a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The awards ceremony inside the Ministry of Culture, attended by Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault and actress and Balenciaga muse Isabelle Huppert, highlighted Demna’s role in reviving Balenciaga’s couture line after a fifty-three year hiatus.
The French order of merit honors those who have distinguished themselves through artistic or literary creations, or by their contribution to promoting arts and literature. This recognition places Demna alongside recent honourees such as Simon Porte Jacquemus and Dior Men’s Kim Jones. The Order of Arts and Letters has also been awarded to Iris Van Herpen, Giambattista Valli, Simon Porte Jacquemus and the late fashion editor André Leon Talley.
Per WWD: “I often thought that my work was not really understood or was misinterpreted, but today, that’s changing and I’m very happy about that,” Demna said in his acceptance speech, spoken in French. “I didn’t know that Paris would become a home, and even more so a place that would influence my style and my vision of fashion so much.”
Professional growth trajectory of Demna
Born in Georgia in 1981 and trained at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Demna graduated with a master’s degree in fashion design in 2006, going on to work for Walter van Beirendonck, Maison Margiela and Louis Vuitton before co-founding Vetements in 2014. The label, built on deconstruction, oversized silhouettes, and street style couture, gained cult status and disrupted conventional fashion norms. His ability to challenge aesthetic traditions and provoke cultural conversations quickly caught the eye of major industry players, leading to his appointment as Balenciaga’s creative director in 2015.
Upon joining Balenciaga, Demna ushered in a radical transformation, combining brand heritage with a contemporary, street style vision. His debut Fall Winter 2016 collection paid homage to founder Cristóbal Balenciaga through structured tailoring, exaggerated proportions, and innovative draping. Over time, he introduced iconic pieces such as the Triple S sneaker, the Hourglass blazer, and the political slogan-infused designs that appealed to modern consumers. His approach blurred the lines between luxury and utility, redefining Balenciaga’s identity for a new generation of fashion consumers.
Demna’s tenure at Balenciaga has been marked by groundbreaking collaborations that have solidified his status as one of the industry’s most influential figures. The 2021 collaboration with Gucci, known as “The Hacker Project,” merged both brands’ iconic elements, creating an unprecedented dialogue between the two luxury powerhouses. His 2022 partnership with Adidas cemented Balenciaga’s dominance in the high- fashion- meets- sportswear trend. Beyond collaborations, his daring presentations, such as the Fall 2022 show held in a blizzard to reflect themes of displacement, showcased his ability to fuse fashion with deep socio-political commentary.
A key aspect of Demna’s impact has been his redefinition of what high fashion represents. His work consistently challenges norms, from satirical runway concepts to the reimagining of everyday objects as luxury items, such as the Balenciaga trash bag clutch. His innovative marketing strategies, including digital fashion and immersive shows, have set new industry standards. Despite facing controversy, particularly surrounding provocative campaigns, Demna has remained steadfast in his artistic vision, shaping Balenciaga into a cultural force that extends beyond fashion.
In recognition of his contributions to fashion and culture, Demna was awarded a knighthood, a testament to his global influence and achievements. His career trajectory—from an emerging designer at Vetements to the transformative force behind Balenciaga—reflects his ability to merge artistic ingenuity with commercial success.
Per Harper’s Bazaar: Few designers have had as monumental an impact on fashion over the last decade as Demna. As the artistic director of Balenciaga since 2015, he has repositioned our collective understanding of what constitutes luxury by taking the high art of couture and mashing it up with kitschy pop culture themes and banal modes of everyday dress.
Balenciaga brand heritage
Image: balenciaga.com
Balenciaga was established in 1917 in San Sebastián, Spain, by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a self-taught designer who earned acclaim for his impeccable craftsmanship and cutting-edge aesthetics. After the Spanish Civil War forced him to close his stores in Spain, Balenciaga relocated to Paris in 1937, where he opened his first couture house. His debut collection immediately garnered critical acclaim, with fashion editors hailing him as “The Master of Haute Couture.”
During the 1940s and 1950s, Balenciaga gained a reputation for his revolutionary silhouettes, such as the balloon jacket, tunic dress, and the high-waisted baby doll dress. His designs were worn by royalty and prominent figures, including Queen Fabiola of Belgium and socialite Mona von Bismarck. These years solidified Balenciaga’s legacy as one of the greatest designers of the 20th century.
In 1968, Cristóbal Balenciaga retired, marking the end of an era. After his departure, the brand went through a period of dormancy until its revival in 1986 when the house was acquired by Jacques Bogart S.A. The appointment of Nicolas Ghesquière as creative director in 1997 revitalised Balenciaga, with his futuristic designs. Per BoF: “Ghesquière spent a total of 15 years at Balenciaga, a once ailing womenswear house which he transformed into one of the most forward-thinking luxury brands in the world (and the most exclusive and sought-after ticket at Paris Fashion Week) with his complex vision, sculptural tailoring and use of ultra-modern fabrics.”
In 2001, the Kering Group acquired Balenciaga, further cementing its position as a leader in the luxury fashion industry. Demna Gvasalia took over as creative director in 2015, ushering in a new era of innovation with designs that challenged convention and resonated with younger, trend-focused audiences. Under Gvasalia’s direction, Balenciaga has become a pioneer in combining streetwear with high fashion, introducing oversized tailoring, sneaker culture, and politically charged statements into its collections.
Demna understands how Generation Z is thinking — and where he can take it from there. Last year, Balenciaga and Epic Games announced a collaboration to bring the brand’s apparel into the world of video games. Fortnite characters are now clad in looks from Balenciaga’s latest collections. Interestingly, the partnership has physical manifestations, including a fashion campaign and a line of merchandise. Shortly after, Demna Gvasalia struck again. While presenting Balenciaga spring-summer 2022 at Paris Fashion Week, he dropped a never-before-seen episode of The Simpsons, with characters Marge, Homer, Bart, Lisa and the rest of the cast wearing the newest looks.
Per GQ, “this mix of genres and cultures is an integral part of Balenciaga’s winning strategy. Indeed, the brand has understood that Gen Z — the new prime target for luxury houses — wants neither pigeonholes nor stereotypes…”
In the most recent news, Kering announced the appointment of Cédric Charbit as CEO of Saint Laurent and Gianfranco Gianangeli as CEO of Balenciaga, effective January 2, 2025. The new leadership structure is designed to enhance the luxury brands’ growth trajectories with a renewed focus on creativity, business and global expansion.
“I am confident that Gianfranco is the ideal leader to succeed Cédric as CEO of Balenciaga. Gianfranco’s extensive expertise and vision make him the perfect choice to further elevate the House and build on its remarkable achievements”, said Francesca Bellettini. Succeeding Cédric Charbit at the helm of Balenciaga, Gianangeli’s task will be to strengthen and expand the maison’s reach.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
