Fashion Scout: Balenciaga
There is nothing staid about a Balenciaga getup, and that’s why we love it. For pre-fall, designer Nicolas Ghesquière unleashed a fury of color, painterly prints and funky flourishes. Known for spinning the house’s heritage looks into something futuristic, Ghesquière was at it again this collection with a '60s secretary meets space-age style. The dresses were super-short and mod, many with a Mondrian color palette (made popular by Yves Saint Laurent in the ’60s, no less). He evolved the shift dresses and mini-skirts with asymmetry, stark cuts and matching astronaut gloves. We told you this look was far out!
The collection was particularly eye-popping from the legs down: boldly hued tights, tricked out pants resembling ruched jodhpurs and, of course, the brand’s signature sky-high heels. The wedges this season were inspired by the French industrial designer Charlotte Perriand, mixing leather, wood and metal. Pretty major – and the perfect antidote to winter doldrums.
November 2010
Lo Martin