At Balmain’s Fall 2017 Men’s Show, Olivier Rousteing Pays Homage to 80’s Music
In a runway show that inextricably linked music and fashion, Olivier Rousteing paid tribute to pop music greatest artists, including George Michael, Prince, David Bowie, Queen and more. Leaning heavily on 80s rock ’n’ roll and heavy metal, Rousteing celebrated music’s crucial role in fashion. “I always say that music gives fashion energy. The music is so important,” he explained. “I think I wanted to do this collection thinking about all the legends we lost in music last year – they broke so many boundaries in fashion.” Growing up in a bi-racial family in France, Rousteing has always sought greater diversity in fashion. “My vision and aesthetic is about being diverse. I love different colors and shapes, so I use fashion to promote the need to believe in all races, backgrounds and culture.” At Balmain’s Fall 2017 menswear show, Rousteing celebrated racial diversity by casting models from diverse ethnic backgrounds to represent his #BalmainArmy. Models stormed the catwalk in bold, military camouflage adorned with detailed beaded embroideries and a series of heavy metal graphic t-shirts worn under camouflage jackets and blingy blazers. Much of the outerwear came embellished with gleaming images of roaring tigers, ascending phoenixes and serpents crafted in ornate gold and silver paillettes.
The high-energy Balmain Fall 2017 collection meshed elements of streetwear with bold military styles, like an army green, camouflage jacket encrusted with gold filigree designs running down the sleeves. Rousteing used silver studded embellishments, a Balmain signature, to enhance black rocker jackets and evening wear. Knits were also prominent, and came in shades of olive, navy and black. The minimalistic ensembles came wrapped with enormous ribbed scarves, and blanket fringed shawls that fell all the way to the floor. Rousteing also turned out a languid, gold track suit and handsome houndstooth jackets in red and black, along with reptile prints.
Footwear highlights include the relaunching of Balmain’s fur-lined, quilted-back hybrid sneaker and thigh-high boots for both men and women. The maximalist collection felt like a throw back to the go-go 80s with broad shouldered silhouettes and plenty of bling to please the ever growing Balmain faithful.
