Balenciaga Pre-Fall 2023

Pre-Fall 2023 is the fashion season that just won't stop - with designer collections still rolling out nearly five months after the first crowd, and on the eve of resort and pre-spring shows.

Balenciaga must surely be among the very last, to release its pre-fall lookbook on Thursday in tandem with the arrival of clothes in stores, making it a see-now-buy-now exercise reinforced by ironic imagery: models trying on clothes and taking selfies in fitting rooms.

Here are minimalist concrete cabins with enough light to encourage the wearing of shield-style sunglasses. Dusty footprints on the black carpet offer a dash of courage when you try pointy witch boots or the tall Santiago style with its western accent.

Balenciaga regular, model and artist Eliza Douglas carried what looks like a dozen items in her cabin, settling on a baggy satin racing suit and a spongy handbag draped in a heavy chain.

Creative director Demna found new ways to express his boxy, oversized fit: lined or padded jackets and shirts; cut off pea coats and trench coats and fold the hems underneath.

Down jackets won't give up either, here puffed up, widened and flared, but cropped squarely right after the hip.

The women's collection is dressed and elegant in an offbeat way: teddy jackets and tracksuits in shiny fabrics, and the imposing size of the seam, which nevertheless echoes some of the curves that define the Hourglass handbag. Long, narrow skirts predominate.

Accessorized with squishy pool slides, menswear is more casual - coordinated stacks of oversized denim , logo jersey and crushed velvet hoodies.

Balenciaga noted that most jewelry, eyewear and outerwear are made with recycled materials like the ramps of the house intensify its efforts in terms of sustainable development.