The Balenciaga SS23 show in Paris was one we’re not yet done talking about; and neither is CULTED’s community. Last week CULTED posted a clip on TikTok of Demna’s latest eye-catching accessory from the collection, a pair of futuristic shades with a unique trait: instead of having arms which rest on your ears, they loop round the back of your head. With the video gaining almost 300k views and 12.9k likes, it’s clear the glasses caught TikTok’s attention, but did the general consensus decide that they’re hot… or not? Here’s what CULTED’s community thought of Balenciaga’s sunnies.

Demna’s interest in the dystopian and debatably weird has been a trend in Balenciaga’s last few collections, and one SS23 certainly didn’t stray from. His runways alone consistently convey an atmosphere of foreboding futurism, transporting us to foreign and hostile landscapes. Demna’s models have struggled through blizzards and trudged through marshes to show us his collections, so a pair of utilitarian sunglasses definitely fits his aesthetic. Whether or not they’re practical for the real world is what’s up for debate.

The main aspect of the accessory’s design, which circles a loop of metal around the back of the wearers head for support rather than hooking over their ears, is what’s generated most of the controversy. Some commenters were surprised to find they actually would wear the accessory, like @heartbreakcay who said “Oh wow I actually like these!” Despite their unique design, Demna never fails to attract a certain niche of people who are unafraid of styling a stand-out piece. Similarly, TikTok user, @naomibands, commented “I wanttttt” – so there is a market for dystopian shades. 

On the other hand, some of CULTED’s community struggled to grasp the practicality of Demna’s design. @yoh_boyy commented under CULTED’s clip, “I’m sure it hurts”, referring to how the glasses arms rely primarily on hugging your skull rather than resting on top of your ears. Pain is gain though, and in this case donning a pair of Balenciaga shades could gain you quite a lot of clout.

@khadija2_0 also raised the issue of hair, which often makes regular glasses a struggle, let alone a pair that encircles your entire head. She questioned, “So if I had my afro, how would I wear it???😏” and we have to consider she might have a point. 

Whilst as an everyday accessory Demna’s sunnies do seem a bit dramatic, many commenters mused that they actually might be the perfect addition to your Halloween wardrobe this October. Users @sallydee116 and @el_mangarof both mused that they’d be perfect for Matrix-inspired costumes, whilst @hot_lemonn simply commented “housefly”. So if you’re considering either of these looks for Halloween, definitely cop a pair. 

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See also: CULTED COMMUNITY TALKS: CELEBRITIES RUSH THE RUNWAY FT KATE MOSS

See also: BEHIND BALENCIAGA: A DEEP DIVE INTO SS23