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NOTES FASHION By Steven Hempel How Balenciaga and Ralph Lauren are Redefining Skiwear A new era of skiwear is emerging — one shaped by performance-engineered gear, sculptural silhouettes, and a luxurious take on alpine identity. As attention turns from beaches to mountains, two houses sit at the forefront: Balenciaga, with its modern take on city-meets- summit dressing, and Ralph Lauren, with a timeless American refinement crafted for Team USA at the Milano The New Couture of Cool Cortina 2026 Games. Together, they signal a shift: Skiwear is no longer confined to the mountain; it has become the new streetwear. Balenciaga: The Urbanization of Alpine Cool Balenciaga's 2025 Skiwear Collection arrives with a futuristic aesthetic: performance-wear engineered for altitude yet styled for the city. Captured by photographer and videographer Aidan Zamiri, the campaign reframes après-ski as a fully formed aesthetic rather than a momentary necessity. Incorporating sleek silhouettes, and mirror-finish accessories, its layers move with a quiet, sculptural power. Reversible puffers create architectural volume, gilets offer featherlight insulation, and hooded parkas cocoon the wearer in modern protection. T h e t e c h n i c a l underpinnings — w a t e r - r e p e l l e n t s h e l l s , A q u a z i p closures, insulating membranes, down-proof construction, and the Recco rescue system — all integrate discreetly within the outerwear. This sophistication expands into limited- edition equipment: chrome-like skis, ultralight poles, a shock-absorbent helmet, and silver- sheened Mask goggles that turn performance gear into objets d'art. Even accessories adopt couture proportions: oversized Dumbo and Alaska boots in padded nylon and split calfskin, aviator-inspired handbags lined with shearling and fleece. Balenciaga's vision of the future sees skiwear as sculpture, attitude, and urban armor. Ralph Lauren: American Grandeur While Balenciaga pushes skiwear towards the future, Ralph Lauren brings its own approach to the world's most celebrated winter platform: the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The brand marks a rare milestone: 10 consecutive Games outfitting Team USA, a legacy of nearly two decades. For the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, Lauren unveils opening and closing ceremony uniforms and Villagewear that balance American heritage with forward-thinking innovation. Crisp tailoring, iconic motifs, and a refined sense of motion result in clothing designed to perform at the highest level while embodying the spirit of America's Olympic athletes. The campaign features a who's who of Olympians as its ambassadors, including Alex Shibutani, Hilary Knight, Erin Jackson, Jack Wallace, Red Gerard, and more — athletes whose grace and grit elevate Ralph Lauren's vision of modern American sport. The designs fuse tradition with technology, maintaining the brand's signature elegance while evolving it for contemporary athletic performance. AIDAN ZAMIRI AIDAN ZAMIRI 32 IMAGES COURTESY OF RALPH LAUREN