On September 28, 2011, eleven years ago, Oliver Rousteing, then 25, made his first appearance at the end of the Balmain show, and no one dared to bet on the future of this young designer at the Parisian house. “No one would have believed that someone like that could lead a French high-fashion house”, said Beyoncé. And yet, eleven years later, the young designer from Bordeaux heads one of the most powerful fashion houses, and his status as a fashion prodigy is confirmed season after season. His new collection certainly won’t say otherwise.
At Wednesday night’s Balmain Festival 03 held at the Jean-Bouin Stadium next to Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes, with live performances by Shygirl, CKay and The Blaze – as well as a surprise appearance by Cher, who stepped out in a black jumpsuit as Rousteing took his bow – and in front of 8,000 people who bought a ticket to attend the event, the new Balmain collection represents yet another test of Olivier Rousteing’s refined mastery.
One hundred outfits hit the huge runway in warm colors, elongated silhouettes, draped cuts and form-fitting garments; with knitwear, braided fabrics, brocaded leather with 3D volume structures, shimmering embroidery; and celestial prints inspired by his favorite Renaissance painters. Ready-to-wear and couture outfits made of paper, tree bark, banana leaves, raffia, wood and from recycled fabrics to demonstrate that Rousteing is not afraid to experiment faced with the climate emergency, making sustainability another pillar of the Maison Balmain.
©Balmain
