According to The Lyst Index, a quarterly ranking of fashion brands, Balenciaga enjoyed a 505% growth in searches by Q3 of 2021. Interest spiked especially after the 2021 Met Gala, where big-name celebrities including Rihanna and Kim Kardashian attended the event wearing the brand. But that was clearly not the only reason for Balenciaga taking the top spot. We look back all the moves this year that have contributed to Balenciaga's ascension in brand popularity. 

It began on April 15, 2021, when Gucci released its Resort 2021 collection called Aria. Marking the brand's 100-year anniversary, Aria generated quite a buzz in the fashion world with the mismatch of Gucci and Balenciaga's brand signatures all over the collection. Gucci appeared to have "hacked" Balenciaga's staples into its own designs, such as the Hourglass blazer, Hourglass bag, and legging boots. Meanwhile, prints featuring both Kering houses' names were used throughout the collection, exciting fans of both.

Returning the favor, for its Spring/Summer 2022 collection, Balenciaga launched 'Clones' featuring Gucci motifs.  By reinterpreting the classic GG monogram into a BB monogram, Balenciaga blurred the boundaries of ownership and left viewers questioning the pieces' authentic or counterfeit nature—opening an endless discussion among fashion enthusiasts.

In August Balenciaga announced a return to its roots, coming back to the haute couture scene after a 53-year absence. The highlight of their return collection is the finale bridal gown, reminiscent of Balenciaga’s 1967 wedding dress. Kim Kardashian donned the gown to her ex-husband Kanye West’s ‘Donda’ album listening party. Despite the brand becoming well-known for its street aesthetics, Demna Gvasalia wanted to communicate the 100-year heritage of Balenciaga to a millennial audience. His elegant, bold debut couture collection not only reflects the mastery of Balenciaga, but proves that Gvasalia is more than just a hoodie creator. 

Balenciaga continued its innovative visions by collaborating with Fortnite, making its apparel wearable in the digital world. Not only that, the brand partnered with Fortnite to release a clothing line for the real world, too. This collaboration came after the brand's Fall/Winter 2021 collection under the gaming theme of ​​’Afterworld: The Age of Tomorrow’.

More recently, Balenciaga teamed up with one of the most recognizable animated characters—The Simpsons—to premiere a special episode starring iconic Balenciaga looks ahead of the Spring/Summer 2022 show. The brand also launched a special clothing line with The Simpsons on its website, further sealing its connections with pop culture.