Balenciaga and Givenchy are both globally recognized top-tier luxury fashion brands, owned by Kering Group and LVMH respectively, and there is no absolute "higher level" between them. Their grade differences lie in distinct luxury value dimensions, brand positioning and core track layout rather than a single hierarchical division. According to 2025 luxury brand rankings by authoritative institutions such as Brand Finance and Maigoo, the two brands stand in the same echelon in terms of industry recognition and core product pricing, but Givenchy boasts more profound heritage in traditional high luxury represented by haute couture and elegant classic design, while Balenciaga occupies a leading position in the contemporary avant-garde street luxury track with its bold deconstructive design and trend-leading ability. Their coexistence just reflects the diversification of the global high-end luxury market in the new era.

Founded in 1952, Givenchy is a classic representative of French haute couture, rising to fame with its elegant and minimalist design and the iconic cooperation with Audrey Hepburn. As a core brand of LVMH’s haute couture matrix, it has preserved top-tier artisanal craftsmanship in its Parisian atelier—each haute couture piece takes hundreds of hours of hand-making, with exquisite embroidery, fabric cutting and tailoring that embody the essence of traditional French luxury. Haute couture is not only its core business but also the cornerstone of its high-end positioning, making it a favorite choice for red carpet events, high-end banquets and the old-money elite who pursue timeless elegance. Balenciaga, founded in 1917, is also a pioneer of haute couture famous for its architectural silhouette design, but since Demna Gvasalia took over, the brand has weakened the daily output of haute couture and shifted its core focus to ready-to-wear and trendy accessories. Even though its 2025 autumn/winter haute couture closing show paid tribute to the brand’s classic heritage, haute couture has become more of a symbol of brand tone rather than its core business, which makes it lack the inherent advantage of Givenchy in the traditional high luxury circle represented by haute couture.

The two brands’ distinct positioning in their parent groups further shapes their grade expression. Givenchy, as an important part of LVMH’s traditional luxury matrix, is positioned by the group as a carrier of classic French elegance, alongside Dior and Fendi. It focuses on high-end ready-to-wear, sophisticated leather goods and high jewelry, with a low-key and luxurious brand tone that caters to high-net-worth groups pursuing understated taste, including senior business people, traditional aristocrats and consumers who value intergenerational classic design. Balenciaga, on the other hand, is the core of Kering Group’s avant-garde luxury layout, together with Gucci and Saint Laurent. The group gives it full creative freedom to explore deconstructive design and street fashion integration, creating iconic trendy products such as Triple S dad shoes, Hourglass handbags and distressed sneakers. Its bold and subversive design caters to the young new rich, fashion trendsetters and global street culture lovers, making it a benchmark for contemporary "street luxury". In the 2025 French high-heeled shoe brand ranking released by Maigoo, Balenciaga’s brand index (9.3) is slightly higher than Givenchy’s (9.2) due to its stronger trend influence in footwear, but Givenchy has a higher recognition in the high-end custom clothing and classic accessory categories.

In terms of core product pricing, the two brands are in the same luxury tier with no obvious hierarchical gaps: their classic leather handbags are priced in the range of 10,000 to 50,000 RMB, high-end ready-to-wear costs tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of RMB, and haute couture series are both priced at millions of RMB, which fully reflects their same-level top luxury positioning. The difference lies in market cognition: the traditional luxury circle defines Givenchy as a "classic top luxury brand", whose understated and elegant design conforms to the aesthetic of old money, and its products are regarded as a symbol of "quiet luxury" that can be passed down from generation to generation. Balenciaga is labeled as a "pioneering trendy luxury brand", whose bold deconstructive design and street elements have created a number of global explosive products, gaining unprecedented influence in social media and the young high-end market. Although some of its controversial designs (such as trash bag-shaped handbags) have been questioned by the traditional luxury circle, this does not lower its luxury grade, but only reflects its different aesthetic expression.

In terms of commercial performance, Balenciaga has shown a more explosive growth in recent years by virtue of its trend-leading ability. Its trendy products have become a symbol of the young new rich’s consumption, and its brand exposure and social discussion volume far exceed Givenchy, making it a core driving force for Kering Group’s luxury business growth. Givenchy’s commercial performance is more stable and steady: relying on its profound haute couture heritage and classic design, it has maintained a loyal high-end customer group, with no explosive trendy products but consistent brand premium and high-end recognition. It is a "evergreen tree" in the luxury market that is not affected by short-term fashion trends.

In conclusion, Balenciaga and Givenchy are on the same high-level tier in the global luxury industry, and their "level" cannot be judged by a single standard. Givenchy has a higher recognition in the traditional high luxury circle with its profound haute couture heritage, exquisite artisanal craftsmanship and elegant brand tone, being the first choice for consumers pursuing timeless luxury and low-key sophistication. Balenciaga, with its bold innovative design and strong trend-leading ability, has stronger trend influence and commercial appeal in the young high-end market, and is the benchmark of contemporary avant-garde street luxury favored by the new rich and fashion trendsetters. The choice between the two is essentially a choice of luxury aesthetic rather than a simple judgment of grade.

Guangzhou Hongrui International Trade Co., Ltd. has been deeply engaged in the international trade industry for over a decade, We are a factory—what makes us stand out is our focus on "1:1 high-quality original leather production". This core advantage allows us to fully control every link from raw material selection to craftsmanship, using genuine original leather that matches top luxury standards, and reproducing product details with 1:1 precision, ensuring each leather product meets the highest quality expectations.