The runway is a facade for designers to stage their vision, the strictly choreographed back-and-forth of models shinning a never-ending flow of clothes.
Balmain S/S2017 Mens Collection
July 10, 2016 2:00 PM
I love Olivier Rousteing. With his mastery of tailoring, aggressive ornamentation and use of innovative fabrics, it is easy to understand how the storied Parisian house founded by Pierre Balmain (a contemporary of Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy) would take a chance on a relatively unknown wunderkind when he was named creative director in 2011 at age 24. His willingness to take risks, his understanding of social media (he the fave designer of the Kardashian clan), and his faculty for designing party dresses that are both sexy and classy have made him a megastar on fashion's global stage.
Rousteing has increased sales and exposure for the Balmain house considerably. But the biggest surprise of his tenure is the expansion of Balmain menswear which now generates about 40 percent of the company's revenue. While Pierre Balmain used to say that his main objective was to "always dress women in the right look for the right moment," (and his gorgeous gowns for goddesses like Josephine Baker and Sophia Lauren always did just that), Balmain Menswear under Rousteing is more about dressing gents in clothes that say "I'm rich and powerful enough to wear whatever the fuck I want." What else could a guy in a silver knit sweater suit with a matching trouser and skirt be thinking? Or a dude in a heavily embroidered evening jacket with midnight blue accents? Or a fellow in a bright orange trench coat over an olive parachute jacket and blue tapered harem pants? Or how about the guy in the spectacular suede poncho with elaborate lacing? And certainly the gentleman in the orange silk belted jacket over tangerine crepe palazzo pants.
Like several other designers showcasing Spring 2017 menswear collections in Paris, Rousteing mixed womenswear in with the menswear. And while the bold colors and rich ornamentation were right in line with Monsieur Balmain's main objective for women (yup, the "right look for the right moment"), the menswear is far more exclusive. Of the small percentage of men with the means to buy Balmain in the first place, there is an exponentially smaller coterie of men who are comfortable with the bold choices Rousteing offers. The Balmain woman and the Balmain man have nothing in common. She is all about beauty and he is all about bombast. In fact, they would probably not even end up at the same event. (Unless we're talking KimYe here, but they're an anomaly, so forget it!) He wears his clothes not for utilitarian means but as an affirmation of an outré aesthetic. So what type of event could a man wear a silver knit sweater suit to without having to confront the bemusement or even ridicule of the other guests? If you're even asking that question, you are not a Balmain man. Remember, the Balmain man doesn't care what you think about his attire. He is rich and powerful enough to wear whatever the fuck he wants.
WRITTEN BY KAREN FRAGALA SMITH
PHOTO CREDIT: BALMAIN
related posts
FASHION STORY "CORY ROBERTS"
FASHION STORY “CORY ROBERTS" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
Contemporary Luxury Welcomes #TFWGucci
The swaths of newfound Gucci aficionados are certain to be charmed by the fashion house’s latest collaborative campaign, #TFWGucci (“That Feel When” or “That Feeling When”), a meme-based, creative...
FASHION STORY “MY OWN STORY"
FASHION STORY “MY OWN STORY" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
FASHION STORY "PLAY DEAD"
FASHION STORY "PLAY DEAD" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
CHANEL PFW F/W2017 READY-TO-WEAR
Karl Lagerfeld has done it once again with an impressive “launch” of Chanel’s Fall-Winter 2017 ready-to-wear collection.
FASHION STORY "PLASTIC WOMAN"
FASHION STORY "PLASTIC WOMAN" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
MIU MIU PFW F/W2017 READY-TO-WEAR
On the final day of Paris Fashion Week, Miuccia Prada swept fashion connoisseurs into a teenage dream at the Miu Miu Fall-Winter 2017 ready-to-wear show. For the designer’s more spontaneous...
FASHION STORY "DEN DANSKE PIGE"
FASHION STORY "DEN DANSKE PIGE" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
LOUIS VUITTON PFW F/W2017 READY-TO-WEAR
Before witnessing the rhythmic succession of models down the catwalk, the audience experiences an atmosphere created by a ballet of sounds and lights dancing...
PRADA F/W2017 READY-TO-WEAR
We live in a highly politicized climate, and the fashion world is no exception.
SAINT LAURENT PFW F/W2017 READY-TO-WEAR
The insurmountable responsibility of designing a collection for Saint Laurent goes without saying.
JIL SANDER NAVY FASHION STORY "MIRROR MIRROR"
JIL SANDER NAVY Fashion Story "MIRROR MIRROR" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
GUCCI F/W2017 READY-TO-WEAR
Kicking off Milan fashion week, Gucci introduced its Fall-Winter 2017 ready-to-wear collection in “The Alchemist’s Garden: an anti-modern laboratory.” Septum piercings, shining...
Kiesza Exclusive Interview / Fashion Story "KIESZA"
Kiesza Exclusive Interview / Fashion Story "KIESZA" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
Miu Miu S/S2017 COLLECTION “Suddenly Next Summer”
Imagine yourself wearing whimsical patterns on a warm sunny day on the sandy coast of California.
Giuseppe Zanotti S/S2017 Collection “Raw Beauty”
The latest Giuseppe Zanotti advertising campaign was captured by Mario Sorrenti, and Spring-Summer 2017 “Raw Beauty” certainly does not...
TWELV MAGAZINE NEW YEAR PARTY @HAPPY ENDING
Find and enjoy more photos on TWELV Facebook
Dior Lady Art
"I have always been interested in getting my work out into the world," said artist Chris Martin in a promotional video shot for his collaboration with Dior, entitled "Dior...
Fashion story "The Golden Child "
FASHION STORY "THE GOLDEN CHILD" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
Chanel 2017 Métiers d’Art Collection
Karl Lagerfeld introduces Chanel’s beautiful Pre-Spring collection at the luxurious Ritz Paris.
FASHION STORY "HAPPY ENDING"
FASHION STORY "HAPPY ENDING" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
Viktor & Rolf Exhibition Opens in Australia
From October 21, 2016, to February 26, 2017, the Dutch design duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren are hosting their fourth solo exhibition, Viktor & Rolf: Fashion...
BEAUTY STORY "LA STRADA"
BEAUTY STORY “La Strada" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
ICB FASHION STORY "ICB"
FASHION STORY “ICB" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
Miu Miu "SUNSET TO SUNRISE" Croisere2017 CAMPAIGN
Miu Miu has just released the Croisiere 2017 Campaign for their new collection, captured by fashion photographer Alasdair McLellan.
DKNY FASHION STORY "DAZED KIDS NEW YORK"
FASHION STORY “Dazed Kids New York" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
TWELV MAGAZINE HALLOWEEN PARTY "DEATH ON THE DANCEFLOOR" @HAPPY ENDING
Find and enjoy more photos on TWELV Facebook
CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA x BARBIE
British luxury shoe and accessory designer, Charlotte Olympia, is having her childhood dream come true.
FASHION STORY "MAO"
FASHION STORY “MAO" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
Hermès - La Fabrique de la Soie
« Hermès »… One of the first things that come to mind when hearing this name is the brand's worldwide famous carré.
VIKTOR & ROLF FIRST MARIAGE COLLECTION WITH JUSTIN ALEXANDER
Nothing is more attention grabbing than pure ingenuity, especially when it is expressed and executed properly.
MOSCHINO S/S2017 READY-TO-WEAR
MOSCHINO: LET'S PLAY PAPER DOLL DRESS UP!
60+ Charming Cut-Outs for 34 Dolls
FASHION STORY "ESTEE"
FASHION STORY “ESTEE" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial.
