Few fashion shows are as keenly awaited as those of Balenciaga, where designer Nicolas Ghesquiere has earned a thoroughly deserved reputation of creating clothes of exception that are arresting thanks to their pure originality...
This has rarely been more true than the Balenciaga fall 2008 collection presented Tuesday morning in the company headquarters in St Germain, a series of strikingly beautiful looks, culminating in a fantastic quintet of futurist warrior geisha gals.
Though supremely coherent, the collection did divide neatly into two parts, something Ghesquiere was keen to stress post-show backstage.
“I began with the Balenciaga black dress and forms that represent the house, then using more unusual materials like latex, sometimes painted, I moved into an experimental stage, a little sci-fi, which is something I always have to do,” the designer explained to FWD.
Perhaps the biggest news was the marvelously unexpected assemblage of materials - with every model wearing crystal chokers and wristbands, each altered slightly to compliment the overall look, be that remarkable shiny molded latex dresses or a series of extraordinary high tech wool mix, and rounded shoulder jackets paired with revamped ski pants with arty stripe inserts, all finished with some remarkable Wonder Woman boots with faux icy heels.
His finale - six exceptional looks topped by coats and jackets with Arcadian Asian images magically fused onto latex was tremendous, literally causing scores of people to gasp, ooh, ah and even shriek at the creativity.
His opening quarter of cut-out little black dresses was a timely reminder of how the greatest staple in any chic wardrobe can always be rethought by a designer of great talent, such as Nicholas. Not only did they look charmingly fresh and sexily authoritative, you could instantly sense the frisson of department store executives seeing money in the bank merchandise that will look great on their fashion floors.
“Manchurian warrior,” London's hippest buyer, Harvey Nichols fashion director Averyl Oates, commented as she exited the show.
Futurist yet highly contemporary, packed with Balenciaga references but clearly the product of Ghesquiere's wonderfully wacky imagination, this was a sensational collection by any standards. In a word, a designer of unique talent playing his absolute A-game, a show without flaws and thing of genuine beauty - that good.
** Photos to come
Article Courtesy of Fashion Wire Daily
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