love, serenissima

Balmain Fall 2012

Photobucket

Paris Fashion Week has come and gone and, once again, Balmain was a pack leader with its rock-and-roll designs. Olivier Rousteing’s second season as creative director of the brand held true to the spectacular aesthetic sent out last season, with a Fall 2012 line consisting of skinny pants, embellishments, and lots and lots of leather. He also continued his trend of incorporating softer feels and fabrics into the edgy line; velvet, knits, and even a floral or two were spotted on the runway.

The well-reviewed collection was noted for its intricate details, 'refreshing' cuts, and 'feminine notes.' FC over at Red Carpet Fashion Awards also published a list of who she saw in the collection, which included longtime Balmain favorites Zoe Saldana and Kristen Stewart, along with singer Rihanna and actress Tilda Swinton. I loved the military details, like plackets and gold buttons, and I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of soft with hard (fast becoming a Balmain trademark) with the incorporation of knitwear.

With a subdued color palette of nudes, blues, and the ever-present black and white, Rousteing was also able to experiment with textures a lot. Quilted patterns and intricate embroidery really made garments that could've been simple basics pop, and brought to mind an opulence that seems inspired by Versailles.

This line hit ALL the right notes. You hear that, Kanye West?

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

2 comments:

  1. I posted a few pieces from this collection. I want them all :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. Like the mechanical work in your collection.

    ReplyDelete