Predicting the trends of the future with a nod to his former styles, Balmain embraces his past in fashion.
In a captivating display of fashion history and modern reinvention, Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of Balmain, showcased the Summer 2021 collection. The show was a conceptual bridge between the brand’s historic past and modern reinterpretation, paying tribute to former designers and iconic models while embedding the designer’s contemporary vision.
The collection leapt from decade to decade, starting with the 70s and moving through to the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Models strutted down the runway in striking looks, with some outfits boasting exaggerated shapes and others bright colours. The colour palette included powerful hues such as solid grey, chlorophyll greens, bubblegum pinks, and strawberry reds.
Rousteing reinterpreted garments from the 70s, especially menswear, and gave new life to the labyrinth print. Denim pieces were prominently featured, with variations in length and width. Models wore garments with a strong masculine air that they feminised with their ageless beauty.
Corsets in the collection were re-imagined in various versions, including those reminiscent of Madonna's 'Express Yourself' video style and lacy black lace style. 'Pagoda' shoulders were a recurring feature throughout the collection. Dresses featured flat fabrics, generous necklines, and seductive slits, designed to appeal to the brand's dedicated followers, including the Kardashian clan.
The show was set against the backdrop of no music, with only Pierre Balmain's voice extracted from an old recording. The Balmain show for summer 2021 was a reinterpretation of the brand's archives and icons. Familiar faces such as Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Natalia Vodianova, Milla Jovovich, Anna Wintour, and Gala Gonzalez were in the front row, visible on large TVs next to the runway. Jon Kortajarena, a model and image for the house, was in the front row, wearing a striking pink coat and acting as a 'chronicler' for the house.
Before the show began, Rousteing sat on a yellow chair on the runway. Matte textures gave way to shiny ones in the collection, but the baroque touch was toned down. Rousteing drew inspiration from fashion greats like Gabrielle Chanel and Helmut Lang, and updated timeless styles such as nautical, sportswear, deconstructed, and technological.
Rousteing optimistically stated that the amazing power of solidarity, compassion, and tenacity shown in 2020 assures us that we can overcome the current moment and emerge stronger. The collection served as a testament to Balmain's commitment to inclusivity and representation, aligning with contemporary social values while maintaining the brand's luxurious and distinct aesthetic.
- The average fashion enthusiast and pop-culture aficionado would appreciate the Balmain Summer 2021 collection, which leapt from decade to decade, incorporating styles from the 70s to the 2000s, and featuring celebrities like the Kardashian clan, along with fashion icons such as Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, and Gala Gonzalez.
- Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of Balmain, drew inspiration from fashion greats like Gabrielle Chanel and Helmut Lang, as well as contemporary social values, to create a collection that not only reflects the average lifestyle but also sets new trends in fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden aesthetics.
- The Balmain Summer 2021 collection served as a reinterpretation of the brand's archives and icons, appealing to the entertainment-seeking audience with its no-music setting, while also maintaining its traditional luxury and distinct aesthetic, making it a perfect blend for both fashion history and modern fashion enthusiasts.
