Balenciaga Revives The Archive For Hollywood Babygirl Nicole Kidman

Demna’s haute couture offerings for Balenciaga have consistently challenged what the practice means in today’s world. From structured hoodies to neoprene-lined T-shirts, since he reopened the atelier in 2021, craftsmanship, innovation, and irreverence have come to define the maison. Still, he’s proven to be no stranger to timeless elegance, breathing new life into Cristóbal Balenciaga’s immense archive. For Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, Demna revived a 1964 evening coat for the premiere of A24's Babygirl in Los Angeles.

Already celebrated for her Volpi Cup-winning performance at the Venice Film Festival, Kidman’s turn in Babygirl—hailed as one of 2024’s finest films—was matched by her sartorial triumph. Drawing inspiration from a 1964 evening coat housed in Madrid’s Thyssen Museum, the gown resurrected Cristóbal Balenciaga’s archival artistry through a distinctly modern lens.

The columnar gown featured a fishtail hem, its structure softened by cascades of hand-sculpted organza flowers in soft pinks and ivories, accented by a green taffeta undercurrent. A black velvet bow belt cinched the waist, a nostalgic nod to Balenciaga’s heritage, while a subtle ageing effect on the fabric hinted at the passage of time—a detail evocative of the recently reopened couture salon at 10 Avenue George V.

It’s not just the look that impresses, but the craftsmanship behind it. A dedicated team of 24 artisans devoted 2,850 hours to creating the intricate embroidery, with each organza petal individually hand-painted and sculpted. The gown was assembled at Balenciaga’s Paris atelier, reaffirming the house’s commitment to fusing traditional craftsmanship with forward-thinking design.

Kidman’s red-carpet presence was nothing short of a masterpiece, echoing the kind of bold artistry that Balenciaga has championed for decades. In a city that thrives on spectacle, she proved that the most memorable moments are those steeped in substance and style.