Bold and graphic was the key to Olivier Rousteing’s Spring 2013 collection for Balmain.
The highly bedazzled pieces the house is known for were replaced somewhat by bright harlequin patterns plus heavy crocheted and embroidered pieces.
Oliver was inspired by Cuba and its ‘Latin sensuality’, but I have a feeling he was also inspired by Dynasty’s Krystle Carrington and Alexis Colby-Carrington judging by the shoulder pads which were bold, supersized and wide.
Linebacker wide, which will look great in editorials, on the models who wear Balmain religiously off-duty and the editors who borrow the pieces from their office closet.
Anna Dello Russo will of course rock the hell out of this collection, but will celebs be snapping up these bold shouldered pieces for the red carpet?
Time will tell. Whoever she is, she will be a type who likes to take risks.
Crop-tops, leather pants, matador style-jackets, mini-dresses, fitted pants, leather jackets, and a selection of denim pieces took to the runway.
Key accessories included oversized belts, perforated open-toe booties, patent pumps and harlequin cut-out ankle boots.
Front Row: Dree Hemingway, Anna Dello Russo, Rachel Zoe and Anna Wintour
Favourites: Tuxedo jacket with leather pants and white halter crop top and leather pants
Who I See Wearing This Collection: Anna Dello Russo, Fan Bingbing, January Jones, Diane Kruger, Zoe Saldana and Lady Gaga
Credit: Style.com
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Posted by Catherine Kallon on October 1st, 2012 In: Balmain, Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week










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Can’t wait to see Zoe Saldana rocking a look or three from this collection
This was one of the worst collections I have perused this season. It’s like an 80′s parody of European fashion. I can’t imagine anyone wearing this without major modifications: reducing the shoulders, scraping off sequins, and removing anything reminiscent of a harlequin.
I think this collection is a tad to boxy on top and too busy with the embroidery or prints. The designer could’ve taken his inspiration less literally and learned to edit more.
This is definitely boxy and ’80s as others have said, and none of it is really my style. That said, I will be plenty happy when Zoe or Diane makes one of these pieces their own