The Second Reckoning of Balenciaga is Upon Us

February 08, 2022

It's like MTV Cribs but Balenciaga style in this second installment. Captured by talented photographer Stef Mitchell, this series opens the doors to the homes of Balenciaga friends. One of whom has become a recognizable endorser for Balenciaga is Miss Kim Kardashian herself dressed in her usual all-black or sometimes; all pink. This series gives us a personal feel and invites us into the homes of big-deal celebrities and their plush couches and china plates. You know it just as we know it; Balenciaga is the vigilante brand of 2022. It's the premiered look for Alexa Demie at the Euphoria season two premiere, it's shown off on the frontside of Dua Lipa's jacket, and it's a grab-and-go fit for Hailey Beiber.

As Balenciaga's new season is showing through a collection of phases, February 1st was the re-up to it's previously embraced phase. In this new one, we have ready-to-wear assortments and accessories that signify the gorgeous silhouettes we know of Aga to do. Where would we be without Balenciaga?

Text by JoliAmour DuBose-Morris
Photos courtesy of Stef Mitchell

Kim Kardashian is one of many celebrities who have been captured from the top to metatarsal in all Balenciaga. Isabelle Huppert features at her home in Paris, Justin Beiber gets photographed at his favorite LA studio, the model Tommy Blue in his home, and Marie-Agnès Diène in her artist studio. Many different walks of life and love conceptualizing in a brand that speaks for all of them. The pieces of this phase include Hourglass bag styles, Le Cagole bags, and boots; Triple S, Track, and Defender sneakers; Pantaleggings and the Falkon Bodysuit; Twisted and Hourglass tailoring; Cut earrings; and casual separates like oversized T-shirts and fitted hoodies. New classics include Bistro, Lady, and Jumbo Tote bags, stretch knee pants, plus — Bat, Stretch, and Wrap sunglasses. It's elegant, it's telling, it's Balenciaga.

The campaign, which is featured at large scale on famous façades worldwide, starting with the Théâtre de la Ville in the heart of Paris, focuses on those products that continue from season to season, becoming timeless. Keep scrolling to see Balenciaga's capture of still life in these in depth photos from the new campaign.

Fashion

Luis De Javier's Puta Takeover

April 25, 2024

Last night with Luis De Javier, guests could be heard contemplating this generation’s most famed conundrum: “If I’m cunt, I can still be pussy.” “And if you’re pussy, you can still be cunt.” That sentiment rang true for the rest of the night, as we celebrated De Javier’s first-ever streetwear collection, “Puta.” We spent seven hours at Ella Funt at a party that only De Javier could’ve brought. It was too dark for even the most aspiring-to-look-mysterious of us to wear sunglasses inside. We danced as much as the space would allow. Under the semi-oppressive flash of party photographers, we drank tequila out of teacups and kissed each other on the cheeks in a vaguely European intimacy, COVID and fashion flu be damned. “I’m doing streetwear!” De Javier could be heard exclaiming — whether it be in disbelief or excitement, we couldn’t tell you.

Words and photos by Izzy Capulong

The Spanish-born London-based designer has been well-loved for his genderless tailoring, latex mastery, and overall message of empowerment. Dressing everyone from ravers to A-listers, De Javier’s latest drop pushes his design repertoire to a new level. “While designing for my celebrity clientele and showcasing my creations on the runway has always been my dream,” he notes, “It’s equally important to me that my brand resonates with a wider, more diverse audience.” While this collection’s medium has shifted from corsets to sweatshirts, the classic LDJ avant-garde sensibilities remain. Bikinis and booty shorts are shamelessly emblazoned with “PUTA,” blazers are constructed with ample shoulder padding, and I had my eye on the cheekily-named “Faguette Bag.”

The Puta collection will be available exclusively on emcee.

Fashion

Nadia Lee Cohen Celebrates Paris Texas Launch at the Chateau

To celebrate the launch, Cohen and founder and creative director of Paris Texas, Annamaria Brivio hosted an intimate dinner at the Chateau Marmont pictured below. Arman Naféei entertained guests throughout the evening with a special playlist he curated for the occasion.

Fashion

Dating Olympics

April 23, 2024

In the wake of significant challenges including the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war which has heavily impacted production and logistics, Syndicate continues to innovate by integrating themes of survival, resilience, and the complex emotions involved in modern relationships. The collection features bold, thematic elements such as textual prints derived from real-life break-up phrases embodying the irony and emotional depth of contemporary dating narratives.

Some of the collection prints were created in collaboration with Magalie Heroux — a London-based graphic designer, the "Dating Olympics" collection employs a mix of early 2000s aesthetics with simple, impactful fonts and ironic slogans, capturing a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. The use of heat-reactive techniques further enriches the tactile experience, emphasising the warmth and connection that are essential to human interaction.

Text Alex Blake
Photography Vidar Logi
Styling Ira Vasylevska & Magalie Heroux
Casting & Production Andriy Zozulya, Taras Schevchuk
Hair Ruth Javy
Makeup Martina de Rosa
Models Sleeze McQueen, Dylan Proudfoot, Olive Harvey
Assistant Tony Poly

Shot by the Icelandic photographer and frequent Björk collaborator Vidar Logi, who's known for his distinctive style that blends natural landscapes with human elements, the “Dating Olympics” campaign is the perfect visual ode to the creative vision of the Syndicate founders Taras and Iryna.

With this collection, Syndicate not only addresses the hardships faced by many due to the current geopolitical situation but also celebrates the enduring human spirit to love and connect, even in times of adversity. The "Dating Olympics" is more than a fashion statement—it's a testament to the resilience and adaptability of love.