Balenciaga reveals its latest visual project, a campaign photographed by David Sims, marking the first official ambassadors and Friends of the House appointed under Pierpaolo Piccioli’s creative direction. The imagery frames his debut collections for the label — Summer 26: The Heartbeat and Fall 26: Body and Being — through a cast selected not for persona, but for presence.
Piccioli describes the casting as a deliberate move toward authenticity, choosing individuals whose lived experiences and personal depth shape how the clothes are perceived. Rather than constructing characters, the campaign focuses on real personalities connected by shared values of sensitivity, strength, freedom, and mutual respect — a theme central to his vision for the house’s evolving identity.
The lineup includes newly appointed ambassadors such as British actor Harris Dickinson, acclaimed for his recent film work, and Oscar-nominated performer Winona Ryder, whose decades-spanning career bridges cult classics and contemporary television. South Korean star Roh Yoonseo also joins, bringing award-winning screen presence and a longstanding relationship with the brand.
Supporting them is a wider creative circle of Friends of the House, including composer Labrinth alongside actors and models from across the global cultural landscape. Together, the cast forms what Piccioli envisions as a new Balenciaga community — distinct individuals unified not by sameness, but by resonance.
The campaign ultimately signals a tonal shift: a house redefining itself through humanity, connection, and emotional clarity rather than spectacle.
