Demna Gvasalia’s obsession with banal, everyday design narratives rose to new heights in his spring/summer 2018 menswear collection for Balenciaga.
To further the designer’s depiction of character stereotypes, from the corporate man doing ‘business casual’ to the has-been rocker and the young father on ‘daddy duty’, models were outfitted in re-imagined classics like pinstripe slacks, acid-wash denim, loose Hawaiian shirts, oversized blazers and patent leather buckle loafers. Gvasalia slipped in some sporty athleisure looks as well, ranging from 1980s-inspired outerwear and obscenely oversized ski jackets, to brightly colored t-shirts and transparent plastic ponchos. One of the most striking design elements carried throughout the collection was the tri-length, segmented pants seen in nineteen of the fifty-six looks, composed of a variety of colors and a cacophony of materials. With techno music blaring as countless models and young children stomped down the makeshift, wooded runway of the Bois de Boulogne, the individual narratives within the collection were tied seamlessly together by the overarching beauty involved in fatherhood.
![Balenciaga ss 2018 mens muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/XPYJuG5B4W6SO6I8eCMk/c6fb6a83b4bd38ac5dc75697715078a0/Balenciaga_SS_2018_Mens_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
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George Nelson
Sling Sofa, 1964
![George nelson sling sofa 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1QhNwVgUDKsaIyUAGKm4ek/4beb0cc94c5cf5e1171fb8ab2e218b24/George_Nelson__Sling_Sofa__1964.jpg)
Kazimir Malevich
Sportsmen, 1928-30
![Kazimir malevich sportsmen 1928 30](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2N41z9La3YIsEe8uAMQaIg/1add214195047dc58ad353fadab06ee9/Kazimir_Malevich__Sportsmen__1928-30_.jpg)
Charles Gwathmey
Residence and Studio, 1965, long Island, New York
![Charles gwathmey residence and studio 1965 long island](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1SARXeTTcECEio4egmIgK8/01834f1b356d9e962f1a01dabeb57f45/Charles_Gwathmey__Residence_and_Studio__1965__long_island.jpg)
Robert Mallet Stevens
Armchairs, 1921
![Robert mallet stevens armchairs pair ca 1921](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/60NS2ZLVvOqIUI4sKwCIK4/4c5e351d4ba2ef4a3c20393bd93b23ea/Robert_Mallet_Stevens__Armchairs_pair__ca_1921.jpg)
Diane Arbus
A Young Brooklyn Family Going For a Sunday Outing, N.Y.C.,1966
![Diane arbus a young brooklyn family going for a sunday outing n.y.c. 1966](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6bNEhJoZdSWcY2OmMmu0I8/62c211b8911c7b6748664ba1f7b59e3b/Diane_Arbus_-_A_Young_Brooklyn_Family_Going_For_a_Sunday_Outing__N.Y.C.__1966__.jpg)
Helmut Lang
Spring/Summer 2000
André Breton, 1924
![Andre breton 1924](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4n5LdVaRFKs0CKm2AWM8QY/b520c9e4184f795d9214eeb5c8c2193f/Andre___Breton_1924.jpg)
Julia Wachtel
Landscape No. 4 (Inside and Outside), 1990
![Julia wachtel landscape no. 4 inside and outside 1990](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/63BaztoN1usa8kY8OmmmGQ/f637ff1b6d10cca2f586863bf2424046/Julia_Wachtel_Landscape_No._4__Inside_and_Outside__1990.jpg)
Claes Oldenburg
Soft Fur Good Humors, 1963
![Claes oldenburg soft fur good humors 1963](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6tzdVAGc8wIQAUSse0EqEM/894c63e3da0b642f27a42f4314bb04d3/Claes_Oldenburg__Soft_Fur_Good_Humors__1963.gif)
Ettore Sottsass
Rosso Grigio e Nero Occasional Table from the Bharata series, 1988
![Ettore sottsass rosso grigio e nero occasional table from the bharata series 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Xbvwx57PWMGkyaWACCcgG/937e16f88749bfc5b921ce124a95305c/Ettore_Sottsass__Rosso_Grigio_e_Nero_occasional_table_from_the_Bharata_series__1988.jpg)
Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Untitled (Perfect Lovers), 1991
![Felix gonzalez torres untitled perfect lovers 1991](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6xPkwnrPEsqCsuosui2aw6/72143edf1e6870d58bd478e329df83d5/Felix_Gonzalez-Torres_-_Untitled__Perfect_Lovers___1991.jpg)
Greyhound Bus Station
Jackson, Tennessee; built in 1938
Ron Nagle
Handsome Drifter, 2015
![Ran nagle handsome drifter 2015](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/53USFlzfiUmIQ2WOwSEA0g/3cabedfe29a012f0225d16cebd28fcb6/Ran_Nagle__Handsome_Drifter__2015.png)
Ron Nagle
Fortgang, 2002
![Ron nagle fortgang 2002](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1cYh61QyfimEuEgcyWwMQS/086946db621eb489adda2c703f3873e9/Ron_Nagle__Fortgang__2002.jpg)
Ron Nagle
Triangular Tracy, 2002
![Ron nagle triangular tracy 2002](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/CGoZC7hEhq2AqwYs8YQCq/db967903cba63dc9cc7bd8b5317359f3/Ron_Nagle_Triangular_Tracy_2002.jpg)
Jacques Émile Ruhlmann
“Tournant” Desk Armchair
![Ruhlmann tournant desk armchair](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5iwoX29K0M6W2u6ewAIkcQ/fe643c9983a22327046a3a37f475a76a/Ruhlmann_Tournant_Desk_Armchair.jpg)
Paul Weiss
Bob Colacello, Andy Warhol and Christopher Murray in Hats, 1979
Jack Goldstein
Still from Butterflies, 1975
![Jack goldstein still from butterflies 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6qMx6phvtCysCo8UgOSAm2/2e22cbdb4a030fd5e02311f176492e6b/Jack_Goldstein__Still_from_Butterflies__1975.jpg)
Jack Goldstein
The Knife, 1975
![Jack goldstein the knife 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4CT02frAwgGuCMCKsY4W0K/fbe6a224a839f34be0664fb2de6e2576/Jack_Goldstein__The_Knife__1975.jpg)
John Baldessari
Blue Boy (with Yellow Boy - One in Hawaiian Tie, One With Dark), 1989
![John baldessari blue boy with yellow boy one in hawaiian tie one with dark 1989](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1HluqFtomgqc8gGWeqsOeI/beaf14fe1bc82402e48806a4887a0258/John_Baldessari__Blue_Boy__with_Yellow_Boy_-_One_in_Hawaiian_Tie__One_With_Dark___1989.png)
Mike Kelley
The Thirteen Seasons (Heavy on the Winter) #9: Snow on the Temples, 1994; #11: The Giving Old Man, 1994; #12: Death, 1994
![Mike kelley. the thirteen seasons](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4tF0CkaMwwAK0Oamuesmqg/f597560daa849ad5e5b9a09f467050a1/Mike_Kelley._The_Thirteen_Seasons.jpg)
Richard Bernstein
Candy Darling Silkscreened Poster, 1971
![Cd](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/53HHjKCirY6ccqaauS0Uw4/42d90ea28288ba47a98966ee3e232a52/CD.png)
References
![George nelson sling sofa 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1QhNwVgUDKsaIyUAGKm4ek/4beb0cc94c5cf5e1171fb8ab2e218b24/George_Nelson__Sling_Sofa__1964.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
George Nelson
Sling Sofa, 1964
1 of 23
![Kazimir malevich sportsmen 1928 30](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2N41z9La3YIsEe8uAMQaIg/1add214195047dc58ad353fadab06ee9/Kazimir_Malevich__Sportsmen__1928-30_.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Kazimir Malevich
Sportsmen, 1928-30
2 of 23
![Charles gwathmey residence and studio 1965 long island](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1SARXeTTcECEio4egmIgK8/01834f1b356d9e962f1a01dabeb57f45/Charles_Gwathmey__Residence_and_Studio__1965__long_island.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Charles Gwathmey
Residence and Studio, 1965, long Island, New York
3 of 23
![Robert mallet stevens armchairs pair ca 1921](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/60NS2ZLVvOqIUI4sKwCIK4/4c5e351d4ba2ef4a3c20393bd93b23ea/Robert_Mallet_Stevens__Armchairs_pair__ca_1921.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Robert Mallet Stevens
Armchairs, 1921
4 of 23
![Diane arbus a young brooklyn family going for a sunday outing n.y.c. 1966](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6bNEhJoZdSWcY2OmMmu0I8/62c211b8911c7b6748664ba1f7b59e3b/Diane_Arbus_-_A_Young_Brooklyn_Family_Going_For_a_Sunday_Outing__N.Y.C.__1966__.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Diane Arbus
A Young Brooklyn Family Going For a Sunday Outing, N.Y.C.,1966
5 of 23
Helmut Lang
Spring/Summer 2000
6 of 23
![Andre breton 1924](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4n5LdVaRFKs0CKm2AWM8QY/b520c9e4184f795d9214eeb5c8c2193f/Andre___Breton_1924.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
André Breton, 1924
7 of 23
![Julia wachtel landscape no. 4 inside and outside 1990](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/63BaztoN1usa8kY8OmmmGQ/f637ff1b6d10cca2f586863bf2424046/Julia_Wachtel_Landscape_No._4__Inside_and_Outside__1990.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Julia Wachtel
Landscape No. 4 (Inside and Outside), 1990
8 of 23
![Claes oldenburg soft fur good humors 1963](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6tzdVAGc8wIQAUSse0EqEM/894c63e3da0b642f27a42f4314bb04d3/Claes_Oldenburg__Soft_Fur_Good_Humors__1963.gif?w=1000&q=70)
Claes Oldenburg
Soft Fur Good Humors, 1963
9 of 23
![Ettore sottsass rosso grigio e nero occasional table from the bharata series 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Xbvwx57PWMGkyaWACCcgG/937e16f88749bfc5b921ce124a95305c/Ettore_Sottsass__Rosso_Grigio_e_Nero_occasional_table_from_the_Bharata_series__1988.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Ettore Sottsass
Rosso Grigio e Nero Occasional Table from the Bharata series, 1988
10 of 23
![Felix gonzalez torres untitled perfect lovers 1991](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6xPkwnrPEsqCsuosui2aw6/72143edf1e6870d58bd478e329df83d5/Felix_Gonzalez-Torres_-_Untitled__Perfect_Lovers___1991.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Untitled (Perfect Lovers), 1991
11 of 23
Greyhound Bus Station
Jackson, Tennessee; built in 1938
12 of 23
![Ran nagle handsome drifter 2015](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/53USFlzfiUmIQ2WOwSEA0g/3cabedfe29a012f0225d16cebd28fcb6/Ran_Nagle__Handsome_Drifter__2015.png?w=1000&q=70)
Ron Nagle
Handsome Drifter, 2015
13 of 23
![Ron nagle fortgang 2002](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1cYh61QyfimEuEgcyWwMQS/086946db621eb489adda2c703f3873e9/Ron_Nagle__Fortgang__2002.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Ron Nagle
Fortgang, 2002
14 of 23
![Ron nagle triangular tracy 2002](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/CGoZC7hEhq2AqwYs8YQCq/db967903cba63dc9cc7bd8b5317359f3/Ron_Nagle_Triangular_Tracy_2002.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Ron Nagle
Triangular Tracy, 2002
15 of 23
![Ruhlmann tournant desk armchair](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5iwoX29K0M6W2u6ewAIkcQ/fe643c9983a22327046a3a37f475a76a/Ruhlmann_Tournant_Desk_Armchair.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jacques Émile Ruhlmann
“Tournant” Desk Armchair
16 of 23
Paul Weiss
Bob Colacello, Andy Warhol and Christopher Murray in Hats, 1979
17 of 23
![Jack goldstein still from butterflies 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6qMx6phvtCysCo8UgOSAm2/2e22cbdb4a030fd5e02311f176492e6b/Jack_Goldstein__Still_from_Butterflies__1975.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jack Goldstein
Still from Butterflies, 1975
19 of 23
![Jack goldstein the knife 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4CT02frAwgGuCMCKsY4W0K/fbe6a224a839f34be0664fb2de6e2576/Jack_Goldstein__The_Knife__1975.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jack Goldstein
The Knife, 1975
20 of 23
![John baldessari blue boy with yellow boy one in hawaiian tie one with dark 1989](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1HluqFtomgqc8gGWeqsOeI/beaf14fe1bc82402e48806a4887a0258/John_Baldessari__Blue_Boy__with_Yellow_Boy_-_One_in_Hawaiian_Tie__One_With_Dark___1989.png?w=1000&q=70)
John Baldessari
Blue Boy (with Yellow Boy - One in Hawaiian Tie, One With Dark), 1989
21 of 23
![Mike kelley. the thirteen seasons](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4tF0CkaMwwAK0Oamuesmqg/f597560daa849ad5e5b9a09f467050a1/Mike_Kelley._The_Thirteen_Seasons.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Mike Kelley
The Thirteen Seasons (Heavy on the Winter) #9: Snow on the Temples, 1994; #11: The Giving Old Man, 1994; #12: Death, 1994
22 of 23
![Cd](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/53HHjKCirY6ccqaauS0Uw4/42d90ea28288ba47a98966ee3e232a52/CD.png?w=1000&q=70)