Imagine yourself on an inconsequential winter’s day - in a meeting, on the subway, at a coffee bar - and now picture yourself in a glen-check skirt suit with jutting out hips and a thrown back shoulder line and a pair of stiletto heels. How does it feel? In an era of jeans, jackets and sneakers, you might find yourself feeling outrageously elegant and very now.

There’s been a lot of chat about Demna Gvasalia, the Georgian born designer who is the founder of Vetements, but, beyond the hype and brand dissection, what he is exceptionally good at is cutting clothes that transform and enhance the wearer. Gvasalia is not given to superfluous flourishes or inane novelty but insists on making a difference. Even Balenciaga’s puffa jackets are cut with extreme proportions that could bestow superpowers and as for the trench coats, the smart black overcoats, the tracksuit bottoms and the leather jackets: ditto. The satin stilettoes with slanted heels and an explosion of crystals? The lurex flecked flicky skirt and sweater? The mismatched print floral dress that shifts between good and bad taste at a twirl? The ingenious cuts give one the posture of a 1950s couture model without having to endure daily ballet classes or indeed corsetry.

The notion of making something very familiar look incredibly exciting is perhaps a maker of modern genius. Gvasalia has a fierce legacy to take on. The Spanish-born founder of the house, Cristobal Balenciaga, was uncompromising, rigorous and passionate in his pursuit of design. He famously kept closed doors to press and to the legions of women he did not wish to dress in his immaculate skirt suits and architectural dresses. Made for making entrances and grand exits, his designs empowered women. Many First Ladies, moguls’ wives and leading ladies came to Balenciaga’s haute couture atelier to be dressed and armed for whatever life might throw at them in the season’s ahead. In 2016, no luxury brand can afford to be so elitist but there are certain parallels. Balenciaga’s new look suits us when we might want to look ‘terrifyingly elegant,’ and a cut above the rest.

Gvasalia is utilising his experience and skills to the max. “I learnt to work with clothes at Margiela - about how to deconstruct a garment to make a new one. At Louis Vuitton, I learnt how to choose the right thread for the buttonhole - I appreciated the luxury of perfection. At the end of the day, my goal is to make clothing and create a relationship with the men and women who might want to wear it. Whether it is a professional woman or 15 year old in the Bronx who saves up pocket money to buy a hoodie, I would like to give or create something that they really love.”

Time for a try on: now when did you last say that about a collection?