It takes something pretty high octane to outshine the hoopla and flurry of flashbulbs that heralds the arrival of the Kardashian Wests, particularly when Kim causes an internet meltdown by debuting a platinum-blonde hairdo on the front row. Luckily, Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain is more than up to the challenge.
Dressing down isn’t really in his girl’s vocabulary; even her daytime looks radiate glamour and sex appeal. There was an Eighties-power-dressing feel to them; the wide plissé pleat trousers in block colours or stripes, sheer lace leotards layered under lace miniskirts or figure-hugging trousers, the voluminous jackets, all cinched in with wide suede belts and paired with huge black agate earrings. By night, the glamour was ramped up even more and the swishy trousers twinkled with glitter, the tops came with crystal arms and fringed panels and the gold piped dresses had deep V necklines, cutouts and sheer panels.
Look closely, though, and not only were some of the shapes downright demure, but hidden among the showstoppers were some more stripped-back pieces: the relaxed, pleat-fronted suede trousers, a quilted suede jacket, an oversized black wool coat and the elegant pleated or printed dresses that closed the show. There were plenty of the high-impact pieces that really push the Balmain Army’s buttons, though – guaranteed to give you your own internet-breaking moment.
