It’s only natural that the highlight of Paris Fashion Week is attending Balmain. I was there at Olivier’s freshman show, back in September 2011. For Fall 2013, the wunderkind is far more seasoned, but just as optimistic and full of youth. Ready to be Balmain’s glamazon again? I know I am. More is more is more! Count on Rousteing to go overboard with a capital O and make no apologies for it. No matter: you wouldn’t want Balmain any other way! It’s a fun job, and someone’s go to do it.
With a plethora of foil-tastic shine, Rousteing went for shoulders to kill, ultra-exaggerated and countered by rock star-worthy cinched belts – the likes of which we haven’t seen since the ‘80s. In a way, the sexiness is less overt than it’s been in other seasons. This time, the emphasis is on the waist (and it’d better be, what with those full-hipped, pleated pants), the peek-a-boo keyhole, and the single exposed arm and shoulder. It just goes to show, a little bit of skin (not to mention some asymmetry) can have a great, big effect.
My favorite look is likely the most forwardly powerful of the bunch. Worn by Joan Smalls, the intricately pleated leather jacket takes the cake (Olivier told me later that evening at an event it is his favorite, too!). Fueled by the awesome, roaring Led Zeppelin soundtrack, it was all I could do not to join the girls on the runway and dance. Which is just what I’ll be doing as soon as I get into these look-at-me outfits. Olivier gives us the perfect excuse to dress up and enjoy a good party.
