Balenciaga’s taken over our feeds, our wardrobes, and now our walks. In a viral trend over on TikTok, fans of the brand have been recreating Balenciaga’s iconic walk as seen on the runway.
Last week we posted a video by Instagram user @jmulla.6z onto our TikTok account @culted. He perfected the iconic Balenciaga aesthetic with the addition of a draped grey blanket and trash bag accessories, the video blew up, gaining 2.4 million views and over 350k likes. TikTok took the Balenciaga walk and ran with it, with many users creating their own versions.
Inspired by the iconic walks of Balenciaga models in Creative Director, Demna’s most recent shows, the trend features TikTok users swathed in draped fabrics, carrying Balenciaga-esque accessories (think crisp packets and bin bags), and copying the iconic hunched walk that Balenciaga’s models are known for.
With the #balenciagamodel and #balenciagachallenge hashtags already gaining a collective 100 million views on TikTok, it’s not hard to see Demna’s influence has already taken ahold. Plus, there’s the fact that TikTok will always take part in a luxury fashion trend when you can Do It Yourself.
Last month, we watched celebrities and models take on the walk at their SS23 show, traversing a muddy terrain in place of a runway and evoking a sense of a foreboding dystopia. Similarly, Balenciaga SS22 challenged models to brave a blizzard as part of the show, trekking through rough winds and over snowbanks.
When you consider the climates Demna has his models take on to showcase his collections, it’s no wonder they adopt such interesting walks. You too would be huddled under Balenciaga’s thick puffer jackets and desperately clutching their $1790 trash bags if you found yourself in the same biomes.
Demna never fails to create a viral moment, from his celebrity cameos on the runway, arguably ridiculous “trash” accessories, and now even his models’ walks: the man can’t be stopped. Will you be participating?
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