balenciaga

The expectation must be quite difficult to surpass for Nicolas Ghesquiere. Every season his design philosophy of futurism meets old school Balenciaga couture technology but chewed up and spit out in a modern, visionary, and directional way continues to not only impress and intrigue but keeps our expectations high, if not continuously higher. Balenciaga is typically the show that will be extremely relevant when it comes to trends for the season and what did Ghesquiere have in store this season? Flower, flowers, and more flowers. Floral prints might be too literal of a source of inspiration for spring but it was refreshing and very Balenciaga in its theme of a time that has yet to exist. However, the flowers were able to breathe romanticism and nostalgia into that concept and gave it a particular weight. History is a significant influence on Ghesquiere whether it be where fashion will be or where it has already been and once again managed to incorporate that into his outlook for spring 2008.

Ghesquiere is reliable for his unwavering eye and curious design propositions. Cohesion is something Ghesquiere understands very well and this show was no exception. The hems were blunt and to the point and the curved lines and wild shoulders of the mini-suits were hard and ultra-defined. The hard edge of the construction conjured up imagery of a knight's grand armor, but it was softened with an explosion of optimistic floral prints. There was a hint of equally contained but unrestrained sensuality with a concentration on lace up and corset inspired details. Ghesquiere pushed all of these ideas forward by using unusual looking fabrics and stiff gathering, folding, cocoon volumes and material pressed against each other so hard a bullet couldn't penetrate it. Deriving inspiration from the Balenciaga archives and car design, this was a precise and tough look but oddly ladylike and pure in its construction. Essentially, a Balenciaga woman is strong, empowered, and in step with the contemporary world. She will step over you in her shameless gladiator sandal.

Do we wish there was more range and wearability in this collection? If you're looking something to wear here you may want to switch DNA with Natalia Vodianova because bold shapes and ideas like this are not for your average woman, nor is it supposed to be. Peak into the future and you'll find a woman wearing something reminiscent of Ghesquiere's pretty and vigorous rumination for next season.


A little bit of catch up:
Gold Digger on:
Paul Smith
Julien Macdonald

And presently:
Bitch, Please on:
Jean Paul Gaultier
Vivienne Westwood
Dior