Balmain Fall 2020 - Runway Review

March 1, 2020

Celebrating diversity and traditions, Balmain's Olivier Rousteing dived deep into his own upbringing for inspiration for fall. The show opened with a dozen models in the same look -- double-breasted wool coat with six gold buttons -- evoking a Balmain Army mood. Twisting class codes and expectant norms, classic styles like silk scarf patterns, equestrian looks and signature harlequin crisscross patterns were reimagined in both intense colors and rich fabrics. Hits, there were plenty. A specific Balmain gesture to Pierre Balmain's Jolie Madame look featured a loose brown leather pantsuit hybrid subverting the cinched-waist silhouette. Shoulders also remained strong, in particular horse-and-chain foulard-print looks that were transformed via crystal and bead embroidery and paired with mohair miniskirts.