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In this manifesto, Haley Erickson defends Demna Gvasalia’s misunderstood legacy at Balenciaga and affirms his radical appointment at Gucci. Through sharp cultural critique, personal insight, and detailed analysis of the Balenciaga by Demna exhibition, this essay argues that Demna’s provocative approach is not only innovative—it interrogates the very idea of innovation itself. Like Cristóbal Balenciaga, who designed for the realities of his time, Demna confronts the cultural conditions of ours: superficiality, meme culture, and the commodification of aesthetics. Tracing his thematic use of volume, readymade, trompe-l’œil, and upcycling, Erickson reveals how Demna mirrors society’s absurdities while reanimating Cristóbal Balenciaga’s spirit. The piece closes by forecasting how Demna’s disruptive vision is poised to revive Gucci, a house historically fueled by drama, reinvention, and bold creative leadership. For those who get it—this is fashion that dares to shape culture, not just reflect it.
Welcome to Vrai, a digital space dedicated to the pursuit of excellence—in mind, body, and spirit.
My life is an exploration of the finest things—not merely in fashion or luxury, but also in academics, sport, philosophy, and personal growth. I've stood atop the Alps, savored couture in the world's fashion capital, studied quantum physics and great philosophers, tasted exquisite wines and cuisine, and experienced cultures around the globe.
At Vrai, I share these experiences and reflections—critiquing pop culture, pondering economics and markets, diving deep into thought experiments, and revealing personal insights. This space aims to elevate your everyday life by nurturing your intellectual curiosity, creative impulses, and mindful consumption.
A reflection on the weight of self-imposed pressure and the paralysis of writer’s block. When emotions become overwhelming and creativity feels out of reach, sometimes the only way forward is through. This piece channels the heaviness—shame, exhaustion, internal brutality—and turns it into language. Writing not to escape the feeling, but to face it, and in doing so, loosen its grip.
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