Balenciaga has unveiled a new campaign for its Winter 2026 collection, offering a closer look at Pierpaolo Piccioli’s first exploration of the house’s codes through a distinctly dramatic lens. Titled "ClairObscur," the campaign was photographed by Robin Galiegue and features models Dara Gueye, Liu Wen and Anok Yai.
The imagery leans into the tension at the centre of Piccioli’s vision. Drawing from the visual contrasts associated with High Renaissance art, "ClairObscur" plays with the relationship between illumination and darkness, using clothing to move between theatricality and ease.
Hooded jackets, peacoats and blousons are given sculptural proportions, with pronounced collars and rounded shoulders creating silhouettes that feel protective without becoming restrictive. Leather, shearling and wool bring weight and texture to the pieces, while paillette-covered satin introduces a more reflective quality.
Darker, restrained tones dominate much of the wardrobe, punctuated by bursts of intensely bright colour. The flashes of acid hues act almost like points of light within the darker looks, reinforcing the "clair-obscur" principle of using opposing shades to create depth and emotion.
The Hourglass Avenue Bag revisits the house’s recognisable Hourglass vocabulary through a refined new silhouette, while the Le 7 Bowling Bag takes its name from Paris’ seventh arrondissement and embraces a softer, enveloping construction.
Footwear brings a lighter touch to the otherwise imposing collection, too. The Bloom Pump is shaped around exaggerated curves, while the Midnight City Mule offers another playful interpretation of Balenciaga’s approach to proportion and form.
Take a look at the new Balenciaga offering above.
