Let’s talk about style on the slopes, because if you are a ski or snowboard lover, you definitely know what I’m talking about. From oversized silhouettes to sleek, performance-driven looks, when you take that cable car to the top of the mountain, be prepared to witness a runway because lately, that’s exactly what it feels like, with the après-ski serving as the grand finale where everyone shows off their best snow fits. Of course, not everyone’s there for the fashion; some of us just chase that rush of adrenaline, the speed and the fresh air hitting your face while the sun beats down. But let’s be real, who doesn’t do a little ski fit check on the snow every once in a while? Balenciaga has just launched its new skiwear collection, and I can already tell that this winter’s outfit checks are going to be fire.
The collection itself merges high performance with high fashion, translating Balenciaga’s iconic silhouettes into pieces built for extreme conditions that ensure both protection and style. Accessories follow the same philosophy: limited edition snowboards, skis, impact-absorbent helmets, and silver sheen black mask goggles make up the technical lineup, while Explorer backpacks and Rodeo bags appear in fleece-lined suede and shearling-trimmed calfskin.
But Balenciaga’s skiwear isn’t limited to the slopes; it’s a look that can be worn anywhere. The campaign, shot by videographer and photographer Aidan Zamiri, isn’t set in a snowy landscape but in the city instead, more precisely Paris. It reimagines the après-ski spirit in the streets of the City of Love. The models, with their puffer jackets and parkas, don’t look out of place; they blend seamlessly into urban life: running to catch the metro with a coffee in hand, buying flowers or doing a bit of sightseeing at famous spots like the Eiffel Tower.
If you’ve never skied, this might not be your thing—fair enough—but if you happen to be in Zurich from the 14th of November to the 15th of December, you can still experience the collection from the comfort of the flagship store with an arcade game where players race down virtual slopes wearing the collection, to get a taste of that same adrenaline without the fear of breaking a leg. So, let’s do a brief recap: the collection is not only great for the slopes, but it is also wearable in any context outside of them; it’s practical, stylish and unmistakably Balenciaga.
