Balenciaga Fall Winter 2025-2026 “Standard”. Story by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Balenciaga.

When Madness Meets Mediocrity

Balenciaga has done it again. Or rather, it has done something—whether that’s worth talking about is another story. This season, Demna, the overlord of dystopian fashion, teamed up with Puma, because why not? Maybe Balenciaga needed a sportswear brand to remind them that people still wear actual clothes. And thus, “Standard” was born—a name as thrilling as a tax form.

The madness of Balenciaga seems to have taken a detour, gotten sick on the way, and crash-landed into Maison Valentino’s atelier. What remains? A collection that is eerily… normal. In fact, too normal. The kind of normal that makes you suspicious. Is this a fashion show, or did we just walk into a department store’s menswear section?

A Collection That’s So Normal, It’s Almost Not Balenciaga

Remember when Balenciaga shows used to disturb and occasionally offend with BDSM kids commercials? Those days are over. Instead, we got office-wear. Yes, actual office-wear. Men’s suits, the kind you’d see at a mid-level accounting firm, were sometimes sliced with a razor—because Demna must remind us that he’s still edgy. Some weren’t sliced at all, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Women’s suits followed the same formula—structured, corseted, and painfully corporate. If you’ve ever fantasized about dressing like the HR director of a dystopian tech startup, this is your moment.

Somewhere in the middle of all this mediocrity, a Daft-Punk-looking guy appeared, wearing what seemed to be a Ralph Lauren black polo and a moto-helmet. A fascinating choice. Is he the CEO of the office-wear brigade? The futuristic IT guy? A misplaced extra from Tron? We may never know.

Puma Brings… Wearability?

Then there’s the Puma collaboration, which delivers—you guessed it—wearable sportswear. Yes, a Balenciaga collection with functional clothing. What a concept! Moto-jackets, classic leather coats, and some adorable pink goose-down puffers bring a sliver of life into the otherwise beige wasteland of conventionality.

One standout (if you can call it that) is a electric blue long-gown hoodie, a piece that hovers between “athleisure couture” and “accidental monk cosplay.” The jury’s still out.

The Puffer Gown Déjà Vu

The grand finale? A puffer gown so familiar it might as well be a historical reenactment. In case anyone forgot, Pierpaolo Piccioli designed that exact thing in 2019 for Moncler. But hey, why let history stand in the way of fashion innovation?

Final Verdict: Has Balenciaga Lost Its Edge?

Between the recycled Moncler puffer gown, accountant-approved suits, Daft Punk in corporate disguise, and Puma tracksuits, one has to wonder—has Balenciaga finally caved to the demands of wearability? Is Demna tired of controversy? Or is this just an elaborate joke that we’re all too exhausted to get?

If “Standard” is the future of Balenciaga, then Demna Gvasalia might just be growing up. And honestly, that’s a little scary.

See All Looks Balenciaga Fall Winter 2025-2026