Balmain’s Ultra Glam, All Inclusive Runway Had All The Supers
Olivier Rousteing channeled rebellious rock chicks in his latest collection for Balmain Fall 2017. His #BalmainArmy of millennial superstars, including Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn were transformed into fierce Rock N’ Roll chicks wearing animal prints, metallic lip jewelry and tribal style corn rows. Rousteing meshed hard core rock elements with Balmain’s signature artistry to create a collection that embodies his modern take on feminism.
Gigi Hadid opened the show in a brown beaded fringe skirt and eyelet studded belt with Nirvana’s sountrack “Smells Like Teen Spirit” blasting in the background. The models rocked suede, leather and snakeskin thigh-high boots with every look, with many sporting tough, rock chick accessories including thick chokers, fringed bags and necklaces with leather and animal motifs. Rousteing added an abundance of extravagant embellishments to rocker tees, garnishing them gold chains, matte sequins and fringe. He favored a looser fit in the dresses and tunics decorated with elaborate patchworks of crystals, jacquard and metallic studs. Monochrome knits and fringed tweeds were painted in an earth toned palette of gold, brown, bronze and orange. Tiger-print dresses, zebra leggings and stunning ponyskin wrap jackets embody a wardrobe fit for a rock princess. In his show notes, Rousteing stated that this season’s focus on animal prints was built upon a long standing Balmain tradition. This inspiration is seen in the super-cool, sleeveless shearling vests and snakeskin accessories mixed with fur. The show also highlighted Balmain’s accessories line with a new series of handbags gleaming with gold hardware. “The women on Balmain’s runway revelled in a new found freedom to celebrate their diversity, their beauty and their power. These are the Amazons of the future, the Balmain Amazons: they are couture, they are rich, they are rock ‘n’ roll.”
