Balmain’s glorious and sensational exhibit of their Spring/Summer 2022 collection in celebration of the Maison’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing’s 10-year tenure at the helm is undeniably the talk of the town in Paris and beyond.

For starters, the French label hosted an extravagant two-day benefit music festival in line with this season’s Paris Fashion Week with performances from Doja Cat, Jesse Jo Stark, and Franz Ferdinand set at the La Seine Musicale in the heart of Paris. The festival’s ephemeral village brought together music, fashion, and food with stands offering limited-edition Balmain merchandise, as well as food trucks with refreshments from France’s best chefs and talents.

Their newest collection, which was was presented on the second evening of the wondrous spectacle featured glamour, glory, and glitz with iconic runway appearances and a sentimental preamble message.

The show began with an array of chic, sexy, and neutral-toned cutout ensembles which radiated power and strength as the models strutted on the runway in bare and bold utility-inspired contemporary designs. Gold embellishments in the form of square link chain details added to the sultry nature of the striking collection. The tweed pieces featured a fresh and modern take on the classic Persian chic, embracing a blend of opulence and elegance. Quilted leather, high waisted-bodysuits, and cutouts revealing plenty of skin, all contributed to newest arena of modern streetwear. The sporadic pops of red which incorporated bodycon dresses and leather bags and shoes broke the trend of the black and white coloured voguish looks.

This performance, however, was just a prelude to the grand presentation of Balmain’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection. The lavish and regal special archival section was opened by supermodel icon Naomi Campbell, as she sashayed down the runway in a long sleeve, gold crochet midi dress. The plush and posh evening wear highlighted gold, jewels, and embroidery as fashion idols such as Karen Elson and Carla Bruni walked to a voice memo with an affectionate message by Rousteing’s close friend and confidante, Beyoncé. “Fresh, audacious, empowering,” is how she described the designer, and that is exactly what this season’s collection symbolised.

Collection

Photo Courtesy: L’officiel