Balmain Fall/Winter 2018 Menswear Show
Discover more on: www.balmain.com
«Many of the men and women marching down today’s runway are clad in designs
referencing protective armor from all ages—from medieval chainmail and today’s
military khaki to futuristic leathers and nylons that are ready for the endless
nights of a post-apocalyptic showdown. They are set for battle because, as the
collection’s graphics proclaim, “fashion is a revolution, not an evolution.”
Of course, that message stands Pierre Balmain’s familiar formula on its head.
Because we inhabit a greatly changed world, we can no longer rely on small,
cautious steps forward. Our new reality calls for boldness and resistance, and my
generation is proving itself to be a strong force of both opposition and progress.
It embraces the future, demands inclusivity, enjoys pushing buttons and eagerly
breaks down remaining frontiers. That confident and fearless spirit is the essence
of our Balmain Army and it is what my team and I celebrate today.
While Pierre Balmain’s pronouncement may have been updated for our era, our
founder’s legacy remains very much present. The collection’s singular tailoring
and impressive embellishment make clear that Balmain’s ateliers continue to
provide the distinctly high level of craftsmanship for which they have long been
celebrated. The first offerings from Balmain Women Episode Collection—
the new women’s capsule offering that shares today’s runway—incorporate both
the rebellious spirit of the men’s offerings and the mastery and refinement that
one expects from an historic Parisian house. Revolutions can, after all, still have
finesse.»
Pure Versace – fresh attitude, easy energy and an immediate passion that runs deep.
Pinstripes are refreshed and remixed, like pinstripe strong-shouldered tailoring, or shirts where different pinstripes are contrasted and clashed.
The new power of Versace prints: the utility of a tech blouson is contrasted with the romance of its “Balletto” print, while the “Angelo” print appears on a sharp quilted bomber.
Versace silk shirts are made modern, with two shirts cut up and combined, or the optical print shirt cropped to just show above the waist of black silk utility shorts.
Knits are playful, like the cotton knit red twinsets with a bead and crystal crown embellishment, or diagonal cut knits that add dynamism to the layers.
Biker jackets and pants are given unexpected softness in black silk, complete with quilted padding. Silk pyjamas are the perfect luxury for day.
A classic Versace logo looks totally new, embroidered in white stitches on a baby blue or pale pink T-shirt, worn with matching straight leg jeans.
Parachute pants have zips at the side for a volume that’s then gathered by drawstrings, while utility blousons have lattice lacing on the sleeves.
Leather trenches are created from intricate patchworks of leather squares, the corners held as if by a bolt. They come in black or black-and-white check.
Baby pink tracksuits are in cotton velour with a baroque jacquard, while stonewash denim jackets are cut and patchworked with Versace denim prints.
Metal chains stitched through tailoring create an eloquent evening take on the pinstripe. The “Cornice” print appears on a sharply tailored silk blazer.
A special Women’s capsule collection shows the unity of the Versace world: pinstripes, cut-and-clashed prints, rich embroideries.
V-Circle – The Manifesto Edition is a new watch with a unique pied-de-poule dial. Meanwhile the Aion watch has a bold hexagonal dial.
Backpacks come in classic prints. Sneakers are moulded on the heel with the Medusa or Greek Key, while velvet slip-ons are embroidered with crowns.
“This collection is like a homecoming. It’s about the passions that define Versace, the complexity of men, the energy of today.” Donatella Versace
