# High Fashion Mud Runways Santiago Sierra Created a Unique Runway For the Balenciaga 2023 Runway By Kalin Ned | Published 2022-10-17 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-2023-runway References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2022/10/14/santiago-sierra-balenciaga-runway-mud-paris-fashion-week-fashion/)  The Balenciaga 2023 runway, which showcased the iconic high fashion brand's Spring/Summer collection, stunned audiences and the world with its unexpected aesthetic. The runway was entirely filled with mud—a total of 275 cubic meters—and models had to tread through the dystopian-like space, showcasing the brand's new futuristic designs. The mud-filled Balenciaga 2023 runway was designed by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra and built in collaboration with [architecture studio Sub](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/at-the-edge-of-time). The show took place in the Parc des Expositions de Villepinte convention center in Paris. This is not the first time Santiago Sierra used mud as a primary material. The artist is well-known for the 2005 installation at the Kestnergesellschaft art museum in Hanover. Called House in Mud, this creative experience also saw two rooms of the institution being filled with mud and peat Image Credit: Balenciaga ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 13% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Mud-runway Fashion Shows:** Create immersive experiences that challenge traditional runway conventions by utilizing unconventional materials. - **Dystopian Fashion Themes:** Explore darker themes in fashion through post-apocalyptic inspired designs and runway experiences. - **Collaborative Artistic Projects:** Partner with artists and architects to create disruptive fashion experiences that push boundaries and attract attention. ### Sectors Adopting This - **High Fashion:** Incorporate immersive experiences into runway shows to create buzz and attract new audiences. - **Art and Design:** Partner with fashion brands to explore new creative possibilities in runway presentations. - **Event Planning:** Embrace unconventional concepts and materials when planning fashion shows to create memorable experiences and generate brand loyalty. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [House-Like Paper Runways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-show-space.md) - [Minimalist Gallery Runways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saint-laurent-springsummer-2024.md) - [Star-Studded Fashion Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/winter-2025-campaign.md) - [Contemporary Fashion Retrospectives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-by-demna.md) - [Pixelated Runway Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixelated.md) - [Whimsical Couture Settings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chanel-spring-summer-2026.md) - [Performance-Inspired Designer Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-x-puma.md) - [Technical Luxury Outerwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-skiwear-2025.md) - [Inflatable Dome Fashion Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inflatable-dome-fashion-show.md)