- Balenciaga's spring/summer 2023 show took place during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday.
- Kanye West opened the show, which took place on a mud-caked runway.
- Stars like Kylie Jenner, Naomi Campbell, and Alexa Demie were also in attendance.
Models at the Balenciaga spring/summer 2023 show were met with a challenge when they walked a mud-caked runway for the brand's Paris Fashion Week event.
According to Vogue France, the show took place in Villepinte, a commune in the suburbs of Paris. Big names like Kanye, West, Kylie Jenner, Naomi Campbell, and Alexa Demie traveled to the French town for a unique presentation from the fashion house.
—Fashion Faguette (@fashionfaguette) October 2, 2022
The label's creative director shared a message to accompany the show
An Instagram account described as a "supporter" of creative director Demna Gvasalis, shared a note from the designer on Instagram Sunday. In the note, Gvasalis wrote that he hates being labeled — despite the fact that the fashion world and society "loves doing that."
"The set of this show is a metaphor for digging for truth and being down to earth," Gvasalis wrote. "Let us let everyone be anyone and make love not war."
Representatives for Kering, Balenciaga's parent group, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Balenciaga sent attendees wallets instead of a paper invitation
Invitees to the runway show not only received wallets, but they quickly discovered that they were filled with someone else's belongings. High Snobiety reports that the wallets contained things like coins, a gym membership, credit cards, receipts, and an ID with a photo of a woman and the name "Natalia Antunes."
—andriana シ (@MUGLERMIND) September 28, 2022
According to the Guardian, the woman is a longtime employee of Balenciaga. On Friday, the label put out a call on for the wallet to be returned, posting a photo on Twitter of a "missing" poster with the date and time of the presentation.
"Lost wallet. If found, please return it at 11:30 a.m. CET on October 2nd. THANK YOU," the sign read.
—Balenciaga (@BALENCIAGA) September 30, 2022
Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Balenciaga known simply as Demna, is known for his collectible invites. HighSnobiety notes that the designer previously sent out stacks of fake money and laser-engraved iPhones for his shows.
Kanye West walked the muddy runway as the show's opener
The Guardian reports that the musician's catwalk marked his first appearance as a runway model. West, known now as Ye, walked through the mud in an oversized, utility-style jacket, leather-like pants, sneakers, and gloves.
The event was also a family affair for West. The "Donda" rapper was photographed arriving at the show with his children, North, 9; Saint, 6; and Chicago, 4; who also wore Balenciaga.
