Phnom Penh Fashion Institute

Demna is heading to Gucci. The designer is departing Balenciaga, where he has served as creative director since 2015.

In his nearly 10-year tenure, Demna’s fondness for body-conscious silhouettes, manipulated proportions, and post-Soviet Western aesthetics have made him a singular voice in fashion. His knife-heel stiletto pantaboots have attracted everyone from Kim Kardashian to Isabelle Huppert, while his glamorous ball gowns have captured the hearts of Nicole Kidman and Michelle Yeoh.

Demna’s work at Balenciaga appealed to not only his cadre of loyalists but also fashion risk-takers from all walks of life. Rihanna enjoyed a date night at Color Me Mine wearing nude fishnet pantaboots, while Michelle Obama wore a canary yellow shirtdress with sparkly silver boots for her Becoming book tour. And while he has readily embraced gimmicks (including but not limited to an Erewhon collaboration, a towel skirt, and Croc heels), Demna has consistently churned out high-octane red-carpet glamour rife with surprises: Taylor Russell hit the Bones and All premiere at the 2022 Venice Film Festival in a voluminous emerald dress with a mullet-esque party in the back, and Demi Moore wore a strapless, teal paillette-covered column dress in Cannes with an unexpected padded hip.

Demna also showcased his wide-ranging sensibilities on the Met Gala red carpet. Last year he and Kidman honored Cristóbal Balenciaga’s legacy by reimaging a flamenco-inspired dress from 1951. But he also proved that a no-frills look can be just as powerful: He created one of the most unforgettable ensembles in recent memory when he dressed Kardashian in a head-to-toe black bodysuit, obscuring the face of one of the most recognizable people in the world. Still, we could tell it was her—in Balenciaga—anywhere.

Below, revisit some of Demna’s best celebrity moments from his term as creative director at Balenciaga.