Balmain Spring 2018 - Runway Review
September 28, 2017


Olivier Rousteing's choice of the Palais Garnier in which to host his spring Balmain collection was fitting given the designer's history. It was 20 years ago that Rousteing first visited the opulent arts venue -- and to show there was both appropriate and revealing. The unabashedly grandiose temple served as backdrop to an extension of the Balmain men's collection via the Breton mariniere stripe rendered in monochrome paillette and softer stripes, also in sequin, over frayed boucle shorts. These shorts featured in an unusually-daywear heavy lineup of garments that included deep (DEEP!) v-necklines, encrusted frayed crop tops over gold studded leather pants and check boucle dungarees. Rousteing played with new shapes, and one was a body-skimming long dress with a layered ruffle at the hem. Totally eye-catching, it was fabulosity at its best.



