The recent Balenciaga Fall 24 show in Los Angeles, helmed by creative director Demna, marked a significant moment in fashion and celebrity culture. The event, held on a palm tree-lined boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, showcased Demna’s unique blend of slouchy streetwear, glamorous red carpet designs, and bold, boxy tailoring. Adding to the spectacle, rapper Cardi B made her runway debut, donning a striking fuzzy blue faux fur coat. This appearance was particularly notable given her prior involvement with Balenciaga, including starring in their campaigns and her prominent presence on Parisian billboards.

The choice of Los Angeles as the show’s location was symbolic. Hollywood, with its facade of glamour overlaying a more complex and sometimes unsettling reality, resonates with Demna’s approach to fashion. The city, where celebrity status is both exalted and scrutinized, provided an apt backdrop for a designer known for his critical and sometimes irreverent take on fame and the fashion industry. This thematic alignment has been evident in Demna’s past work, including his SS22 Simpsons premiere and the use of paparazzi-style photography in campaigns.

Cardi B’s participation in the show was particularly fitting. Known for her candid and unfiltered persona, which stands in contrast to the more polished images of many celebrities, her journey from a Bronx strip club to international stardom exemplifies a kind of authentic, self-made celebrity that aligns with the themes of Demna’s show. This alignment of Cardi B’s persona with the underlying themes of the Balenciaga show underscores the deliberate and thoughtful integration of cultural commentary into fashion by Demna.