Balenciaga Couture Fall Winter 2024-25 “T-Shirt Damn-Man vs. Super Butterfly-Dude”. Story in a style of comic book written by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY. Photo Courtesy: Balenciaga.
Introduction
“This couture collection is a tribute to subculture dress codes as important influences of my fashion vocabulary. I chose four permanent components of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s last two decades of collections and applied them on my design aesthetic in order to create a bridge between Balenciaga’s signature elegance and silhouette and my own personal style.” Demna
T-Shirt Damn-Man vs. Super Butterfly-Dude
Story in a style of comic book
Panel 1:
City skyline at dusk, with the iconic “Fashion District” neon sign glowing brightly. Below, the streets are alive with the buzz of the Balenciaga Couture Fall Winter 2024-25 show.
Narrator:
In the heart of the Fashion District, an epic showdown is about to begin. The world of high fashion, usually a realm of elegance and poise, is about to be turned upside down. Two titans of couture, T-Shirt Damn-Man and Super Butterfly-Dude, are on a collision course that promises to redefine style itself. But looming over it all is the ominous presence of The Wrath of Fashion or RUNWAY, waiting to crush any semblance of order.



Panel 2:
Close-up of T-Shirt Damn-Man, looking determined in his signature ensemble: a patchwork of old t-shirts, jeans, and sports shorts stitched together into a chaotic yet somehow cohesive outfit.
T-Shirt Damn-Man:
This city’s fashion has gone too far. It’s time to bring some sense back to the runway! And by sense, I mean absolute madness!
Narrator:
Meet T-Shirt Damn-Man, the rogue designer with a flair for the outrageous. His weapon of choice? An arsenal of recycled fabrics and a rebellious spirit. Tonight, he’s here to make a statement: Fashion should be fun, fearless, and fantastically flawed.
Panel 3:
Super Butterfly-Dude swoops in, his wings a riot of colors, wearing a puffy jacket gown that looks like it’s ready to take flight on its own.
Super Butterfly-Dude:
Easy there, T-Shirt Damn-Man. Let’s not forget who really rules the runway – me and my fabulous wings!
Narrator:
Enter Super Butterfly-Dude, the avant-garde visionary who believes fashion should always take flight. His outfits are a spectacle, combining the whimsy of butterfly masks with the boldness of fake blue fur coats, making him look like a wet, poor bird. He’s here to challenge T-Shirt Damn-Man’s chaotic couture with his own brand of sartorial splendor.
Panel 4:
Enter Garbage Lady, her dress a creative masterpiece of garbage bags and assorted junk, and silk, yet strangely elegant.
Garbage Lady:
You boys ready to take on The Wrath of Fashion? Tonight’s the night we trash the conventional!
Narrator:
And let’s not forget Garbage Lady, the queen of eco-chic. Her ensembles, crafted from garbage bags and discarded items, are a testament to the beauty of the discarded. She’s the wildcard in this fashion face-off, adding a touch of sustainability to the chaos.
Panel 5:
The runway show begins, models strut in outrageous outfits. One wears several puffy jackets sewn together, creating an absurdly voluminous gown. Another sports a patchwork dress of old jeans, t-shirts, and Bermuda.
Narrator:
The stage is set, and the models take to the runway. The audience is treated to a spectacle of creativity: voluminous gowns made of puffed jackets, patchwork dresses from old jeans and t-shirts, and more. The clash of styles is palpable, each outfit more daring than the last.
Panel 6:
A man with a raven mask and a long sweatshirt emblazoned with a giant Halloween sticker of death strides down the runway. His look is both eerie and absurd.
Narrator:
First up, the Raven Man, shrouded in mystery and morbidity. His sweatshirt, adorned with a giant Halloween sticker of death, adds a macabre touch to the proceedings.
T-Shirt Damn-Man:
Who invited the birdman to the party?
Panel 7:
Next, a man in a yellow butterfly mask and a long pile of denim steps out, his look as bizarre as it is eye-catching.
Narrator:
Following him is Yellow Butterfly Man, draped in a long pile of denim. His appearance is as bizarre as it is captivating, a true testament to the whimsical side of fashion.
Super Butterfly-Dude:
I guess they thought it needed more… wing power. (winks)
Panel 8:
The final model steps out, wearing a yellow butterfly mask and a sport shirt with the number 10, labeled “Fangye.” The crowd is both confused and amused.
Narrator:
Bringing up the rear is Fungi Man, sporting a yellow butterfly mask and a sports shirt emblazoned with “Fangye.” A nod to the upcoming Olympic games in Paris, his look is both a tribute to athleticism and fashion, or probably just to some fungi.
Garbage Lady:
I think he’s trying to bring sports and couture together. It’s like a fashion fungi!
Panel 9:
T-Shirt Damn-Man, Super Butterfly-Dude, and Garbage Lady jump onto the runway, causing a stir among the audience. They strike a heroic pose.
Narrator:
As the models strut, our heroes make their dramatic entrance. T-Shirt Damn-Man, Super Butterfly-Dude, and Garbage Lady leap onto the runway, ready to challenge the norms. The audience is in awe, unsure whether to laugh or applaud – so they do both.
T-Shirt Damn-Man:
Time to show these fashionistas what real style looks like!
Panel 10:
The trio parades down the runway, their mismatched outfits clashing with the high-fashion designs around them. The crowd erupts in laughter and applause.
Narrator:
The trio parades down the runway, their mismatched outfits a riot of color and texture. It’s a glorious clash of high fashion and street style, a celebration of individuality and creativity, or so as it seems… The crowd can’t contain their delight, erupting in laughter and applause.
Super Butterfly-Dude:
Who knew saving fashion could be this much fun?
Panel 11:
T-Shirt Damn-Man, now revealed as the designer of the show, steps forward with a flourish, his t-shirt hat billowing.
Narrator:
And then, the twist – T-Shirt Damn-Man reveals himself as the mastermind behind the collection. His t-shirt hat billows as he steps forward, ready to address the audience.
T-Shirt Damn-Man:
You see, fashion isn’t about conformity. It’s about creativity and chaos, and probably some garbage thrown in!
Panel 12:
The models, including the raven mask guy, the blue butterfly coat man, and the yellow butterfly sports shirt guy, join the heroes, all posing together in a final triumphant stance.
Narrator:
The models, now part of the rebellion, join the heroes in a triumphant pose. It’s a tableau of defiance against the ordinary, a statement that fashion is for everyone.
Garbage Lady:
And sometimes, it’s about taking out the trash – literally!
Panel 13:
A dramatic entrance as Angel, representing The Wrath of Fashion, descends from the rafters, clad in an ethereal gown that seems to shimmer with divine authority.
Narrator:
But wait! Just as victory seems assured, an angelic figure descends from the rafters. It’s Angel, the embodiment of The Wrath of Fashion, here to restore order to the chaos.
The Wrath of Fashion:
You dare mock the sacred halls of couture with your antics? Prepare to be schooled in the true art of fashion!
Panel 14:
The Wrath of Fashion effortlessly subdues T-Shirt Damn-Man with a well-aimed fabric whip, sending him tumbling into a heap of t-shirts.
Narrator:
With a flick of her fabric whip, The Wrath of Fashion sends T-Shirt Damn-Man tumbling into a heap of his own t-shirts.
T-Shirt Damn-Man:
What… what hit me?
Panel 15:
Super Butterfly-Dude tries to take flight but is caught by The Wrath of Fashion’s shimmering net, pulling him back down to earth.
Narrator:
Super Butterfly-Dude attempts to take flight, but The Wrath of Fashion ensnares him in a shimmering net, pulling him back to earth.
Super Butterfly-Dude:
Hey, this wasn’t in the script!
Panel 16:
Garbage Lady, seeing her comrades fall, attempts a desperate charge, but The Wrath of Fashion simply raises a hand, and a gust of wind sends her dress of garbage bags fluttering away.
Narrator:
Seeing her comrades fall, Garbage Lady charges, but with a mere gesture, The Wrath of Fashion sends a gust of wind that scatters her garbage bag dress to the winds.
Garbage Lady:
Well, there goes my sustainable statement…
Panel 17:
The audience, now on their feet, watches in stunned silence as The Wrath of Fashion stands victorious, the defeated heroes at her feet.
Narrator:
The audience, now on their feet, watches in stunned silence. The Wrath of Fashion has spoken.
The Wrath of Fashion:
Let this be a lesson: true fashion is an art, not a circus!
Panel 18:
Epilogue: A shot of the city at night, with the Fashion District sign still glowing, now with a new slogan beneath it: “Fashion for Everyone!”
Narrator:
In the end, it’s not about what you wear, but how you wear it. And sometimes, it’s about knowing when to step aside and let the true masters of fashion reign supreme.
T-Shirt Damn-Man:
Until next season, stay stylish, folks! And keep your garbage close!
Super Butterfly-Dude:
And remember, fashion should always take flight, even if you crash!
Garbage Lady:
Or at least, take out the trash!
Panel 19:
*The heroes, battered but still defiant, walk off into the sunset, their mismatched outfits a symbol of their undying spirit.*
Narrator:
As our heroes walk off into the sunset, their mismatched outfits a testament to their undying spirit, we are left with a new mantra: Fashion… no, sorry, Garbage is for everyone! With a little bit of fungi!
The End.


Conclusion
The uproar over Balenciaga’s Haute Couture Fall Winter 2023-2024 collection, helmed by Demna Gvasalia, serves as a sharp reminder of the divergent views in today’s fashion arena. While some laud the collection’s audacious break from norms and its conceptual depth, others, including yours truly, argue it flounders far from the lofty perch of true haute couture. Defined in France as “Haute Couture garment is made with high-quality, rare fabrics and crafted with meticulous attention to detail by skilled artisans, haute couture stands as an emblem of elegance and sophistication” (France.fr)—qualities seemingly absent in Demna’s eBay t-shirt and trash bag ensembles.
Demna’s departure from convention—let’s call it what it is: upcycled chic—raises eyebrows and mirth alike. Demna didn’t use “high-quality, rare fabrics” – he used t-shirts he bought on eBay, second hand items from eBay, trash bags, security golden blankets. None of these “materials” qualified as rare, or high quality. Demna didn’t “craft” anything “with meticulous attention to detail” they all these trash bags were badly sewed, placing a sticker with hot iron is not Haute Couture. H&M does it better. His unorthodox choice of materials and methods, including hot-ironed stickers as a nod to “craft,” challenges the very essence of haute couture. Indeed, as luxury brands grapple with market shifts towards individual craftsmen and genuine artistry, the spectacle of “crafted” t-shirt hats, hoodies and jeans masquerading as high fashion feels as out of place as a misplaced bid on eBay.
Contrary to the traditional craftsmanship associated with haute couture, Demna’s reliance on interns from fashion schools rather than seasoned artisans undermines the very essence of this esteemed craft. Demna didn’t use “skilled artisans”, as they don’t have them. They hire interns from fashion schools to help them each season. We talked to these students, and the directors of the schools. Skilled artisans Balenciaga has only for leather goods – bags. “Haute couture stands as an emblem of elegance and sophistication” – none of these can be applied to Demna’s production.
Demna’s foray into high fashion with this collection fails to uphold the meticulous craftsmanship and refined aesthetics synonymous with haute couture. Moreover, Gvasalia’s penchant for oversized t-shirts and hoodies hardly constitutes a discernible aesthetic, and his controversial themes veer far from the ethos of luxury or high fashion.
Demna’s “latest “Haute Couture” collection is eBay’s finest: second-hand t-shirts, golden security blankets, and deluxe trash bags. Who knew haute couture could be accessorized with last week’s leftovers?
In a bold departure from tradition, Demna proudly flaunts his army of interns as the new wave of haute couture artisans. Move over, seasoned craftsmen—here come the rookies from fashion school, armed with their trusty hot irons and sticker collections. It’s a masterclass in haute trash-ture.
And let’s talk aesthetics. Oversized t-shirts, hoodies, and jeans dominate the runway, because nothing screams high fashion like raiding Ebay’s leftovers. Pair that with a sprinkle of “religion” (yes, we’re talking Satanism – that’s from where child abuse campaign is coming from) for that extra controversial edge. Demna’s laughing all the way to the dodgy store where you can find his “crafted” wonders. There are million of these “demnas” in suburbs of Arizona and California. In every dodgy store you can find these “crafted” t-shirts, hoodies and jeans, as pieces of “Hot Dodgyture”.
Balenciaga’s latest collection: because nothing says “high fashion” like turning trash into… well, more trash.
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