Olivier Rousteing delved into a Latin theme for inspiration, mixing Parisian couture techniques with Cuban culture. Finding a relationship between the power looks from the 1990s and Cuba was not easy, but Rousteing seemed to find it in Sage, the British Afro-Cuban singer from the 90s. Early this year while visiting Cuba, Rousteing found himself fascinated with the black and white checkered floors and elaborate basket weave patterns. Little did he know that was going to be both fodder and inspiration for his S/S 2013 collection.
Rousteing presented a bold play on graphic harlequin patterns and exaggerated jacket shapes with strong shoulders. After all Balmain would not be Balmain without strong shoulders. There were jackets made from leather with interwoven metal and crystal beading along with elaborate geometrical basket weaves which were paired with black and white checkered prints, cigarette trousers and pointy silver stilettos.
Taking a closer look backstage at the dresses painstakingly created from basket-woven raffia we noticed the insane attention to detail and craftsmanship. The jackets and leather dresses with woven octagonal patterns appeared staggeringly complex and certainly a million miles away from the minimalism seen on most of the Paris catwalks. Using monochromatic graphics in black and white, yellow and black and blue and black that swirled around the body on boxy jackets and low cut jumpsuits, Rousteing introduced a new sexy, much more relaxed silhouette which he paired with midriff tops and strong shouldered couture inspired jackets. Knowing what his glamorous jet-set clientele expects from the house of Balmain, these are clothes to be seen in.
