BALMAIN RESORT 2017

BALMAIN RESORT 2017

Parisian designer Olivier Rousteing created an exuberant Resort 2017 collection. Rousteing worked his masterful way on impeccably glamorous garments ideal for the self assured woman. Retro, 70s style elements and alluring 90s connotations echoed throughout. A role call of uber models including Russians Sasha Luss and Valery Kaufman fronted the high octane Resort campaign.

Luss modelled a colour blocked, striated, macrame mini dress complete with gold chain trimmings. The eye popping number starred in shades of cobalt, emerald, pineapple, orange and rose. Exposed shoulders, long sleeves, thigh grazing hemline and scoop neck detail oozed with the elixir of youth. The signature boxing belt made a cameo appearance finalised with a jade and tassel fastening.

Electrifying denim was remodelled in various silhouettes including a 7/8 trench dress deconstructed with military accents spliced to reveal nude organza panelling. Desert sand, platform, suede peep toe booties and a matching tasselled suede obi belt concluded the avant garde creation. A mid wash, denim trench was worn languidly. The staple trench was coupled to a deep decolletage, fringed, wraparound, macrame, maxi. The tasselled, plunging neckline screamed of the 70s decade. A sleeveless, tailored, safari jacket in duck egg blue denim was a streamlined addition. Four pockets with gold button accroutement and tie sash waist highlighted the foxy ensemble. Floor grazing denim flares resulted in a polished look. A midnight halter macrame, transparent mini was layered to a calf length matching cardi worn off the shoulder for a nonchalant approach.

Lively, Crayola box brights punctuated a crochet, peak shoulder, long sleeve, mini dress. Undulating panels were fused with geometric shapes in a colour palette consisting of tangerine, royal blue, azure and cardamon. A boatneck, floor grazing version starred trompe l'oeil panelling, hugging curves in all the right places. Fluid draping prevailed on a mandarin, liquid silk, cutaway, floor sweeping camisole. A wraparound bust was divided to reveal a triangle of torso flesh. A high waisted multi hued crochet maxi with double side split detail was a sublime accession pared back to the generous power draped cami.

A jewel tone, marmalade, exposed shoulder, extended waterfall sleeve blouse with scoop neck featured a decorative fringed bib in pewter. The diaphanous blouse was worn tucked into flat front, high waisted trousers slashed to unveil thigh high centre split uncovering bare pins.A ponyskin, leopard, tasselled belt attenuated the waist.

Precision tailoring featured on a pristine, marshmallow, cut out suit, windows of skin exposed, adding a flirtatious edge. A v-neckline, flared sleeves and tie waist created a feminine arabesque. Relaxed, floppy flares, caressed legs while a statement making bold, gold, jewel encrusted collar framed the neck. An oversized, metallic silver woven knit jumper starred drop armholes, elongated sleeves and a ribbed neck and hemline. A matching maxi in narrow proportions finalised the nonchalant number. A deep forest green, slinky, tiered, mousseline, maxi skirt was ignited by thigh cut-outs. A round neck, mullet cami in the matching shade of green added minimalism to the equation. A sumptuous suede, khaki cape coat brimmed of polished pananche. Midnight blue, mousseline ruffles cascaded from above the knee to the ground. A colossal gold chain choker festooned with an agate indigo and sky centrepiece. Iridescent, burnished gold, embellished flared trousers in leopard were a dramatic after five option. A woven metallic funnel neck jumper resembling tactile chainmail worked well against the scintillating trousers.

An uplifting collection replete with ostentation and pulchritude.

By Courtney Jones.   

 

 

AUTUMN WARDROBE STAPLES

AUTUMN WARDROBE STAPLES

Clockwise from top left-

1)DIESEL Dress $300

CLARINS Lip Perfector $33

LINDA FARROW Round Sunglasses $790

CHLOE Jodie Bag $2280

AQUAZZURA Suede Boots $1345

CLARINS Eyebrow Pencil $34

ISA ARFEN Faux Fur Jacket $1302

DIOR Nail polish $35

CHANEL Hoop Earrings $1955

AMICI Fedora $36

REPOSSI Stacked Gold Ring $2949

2) MARISSA WEBB Military Jacket $650

YSL Nail polish $35

STARBUCKS Iced Coffee

YSL Camouflage Satchel $2938

LINDA FARROW Gold Aviators $1440

DAVID YURMAN Gold Bracelet $7160

LOUIS VUITTON Bag Charm $ 475

MICHAEL KORS Watch $296

SEED HERITAGE Leather Mini $270

CLARINS Lip Balm $33

CHANEL Eyeshadow Quad $98

YSL Mascara $42

AQUAZZURA Tulum Sandals $1095

3) RIVER ISLAND Suede Western Jacket $280

BOOHOO Embellished Clutch $46

DANIEL AVAKIAN Silk Neck Tie $85

DIPTYQUE Candle $100

TOO FACED Eye Palette $47

ALEXANDER WANG Tank $775

ANTIK BATIK Belt $85

ISABEL MARANT Earrings $185

TOO FACED Lipstick $27

FRAME DENIM Ripped Skinny Jeans $390

RAY BAN Round Sunglasses $220

ISABEL MARANT Suede Sandals $955

GUERLAIN Bronzer $69

ISABEL MARANT Beaded Bracelet $91

4) BALMAIN Sequined Dress $5570

3.1 PHILLIP LIM Aviators $250

TOM FORD Shoulder Bag $1870

REPOSSI Chrome Gold Ring $3065

TORY BURCH Watch $405

BALMAIN Leather Jacket POA

STUART WEITZMAN Thigh Boots $1530

GIVENCHY Foundation $66

GIVENCHY Bronzer Brush $64

TOM FORD Eau de Parfum $325

CHANEL Lipstick $48

BY COURTNEY JONES.

 

BALMAIN FALL 2016

BALMAIN FALL 2016

Designer Olivier Rousteing of Balmain produced a hedonistic, sizzling collection steeped in opulence. Feminine, sculptural silhouettes reminiscent of Alexander McQueen's design DNA featured, pulsating energy echoing throughout. The decadent collection was held at the Palais Royal and played host to a menagerie of celebrities, all ready for their close up.

Model of the moment, Kendall Jenner opened the show in a powdered storm grey, pinstripe, sharp shouldered, full length, cardigan coat teamed to matching body con tank. A restrictive, high waisted, corseted skirt fell on the upper thigh. Details included boning, silver hook and eye and sumptuous fur panels.Suede thigh high boots emulating Stuart Weitzman's 'Highland' style concluded the look.

Tami Williams exuded 80s prowess in a powerhouse suede and fur sleeve, crossover, wrapped jacket. The voluminous jacket was paired to high waisted, flat front, stretch suede leggings. A signature boxing belt in chrome finalised the ensemble.

Danish beauty Josephine Skriver modelled an ice vo-vo, baroque inspired creation comprising of a high neck with cut out shoulder detail, ornate rose gold pearl embellishment and copious rows of tasselled pointrines dangling from the bust and sleeves. A white and gold cincher nipped in the waist which flowed fluidly into a scalloped hem mini skirt adorned with delicate, undulating beading. 

Statuesque Karlie Kloss took to the runway in a ballet pink, corseted camisole. The structured bodice celebrated the female silhouette. Ethereal, transparent lace trousers caressed legs and starred cascading silk waterfall ruffles. A corrugated crystal plate choker with gold hardware was oversized and hardened the romantic garments. A powder puff blue, tapestry silk brocade ignited a striking, off the shoulder, long sleeve, corseted blouse. Sheer panels highlighted the decolletage with brocade seams concluding the peplum blouse. Matching body conscious, stretch trousers encased every curve of Katya Ledneva's lithe physique.

Catwoman references were evident on a  sensual, black velvet, bodysuit. Long sleeves, structured shoulders, nude panelling and velvet breast cups exuded a modern day gothic renegade. Stretch flat front trousers with darting concluded the fierce look.

A spectacular collection brimming with couture like finesse. Perennial party girls rejoice, Rousteing has delivered yet again.

By Courtney Jones.

BALMAIN RESORT 2016

BALMAIN RESORT 2016

Advocate of all things embodying feminine allure, Olivier Rousteing of Parisian house, Balmain delivered an empowering collection brimming with undeniable sass and ostentation. Pulsating energy engulfed intricate handiwork as Rousteing took us on an exotic journey back to the seventies decade with safari sojourns and  disco fever on the agenda.

The collection opened with a rigorously cut mushroom peak shoulder blazer which starred lace up panelling detail. A restrictive leather waist cincher in the shade of pearlescent pink drew in the waist. A stretch rose quartz ruched pencil skirt was a figure hugging addition with triple bows gracing the centre of the skirt. Signature vertiginous black suede caged booties brimmed with attitude.

A taupe harlequin check duster coat graced Dutch newcomer Julia Van Os' shoulders. Matching high waisted leggings were teamed to a cross over, deep decolletage bustier. Ysaunny Brito modelled a drawstring , leather shell in honeyed beige complete with safari inspired oversized pockets and interwoven pannier leather strips. A matching a-line mini skirt concluded the dapper ensemble.

The YSL archival 'Veruschka' safari dress was seemingly reinvented to star in desert sand suede. The body con dress was highlighted by structured shoulders, lace up front, chest and hip pockets, attenuated by a suede boxing belt complete with gold hardware.

A languid, burnt terracotta, floor sweeping maxi dress featured colossal sized, cuffed, drop armholes. The fluid silk fabric offered an iridescent sheen. Drawstring toggle waist, parachute pockets and suggestive centre split brimmed with siren-esque connotations. The forever covetable Balmain mini dress was updated in an earthy shade of mocha which featured a tight knit basket weave  bodice complete with textural suede lace up panelling throughout. Statement bamboo earrings oozed of jungle luxe. 

An LED city skyline played backdrop to a seductive khaki jumpsuit flaunting every curve of Van Os' physique. The plunging number featured lace up eyelet detail descending from the armpit to the ankle finalised with a leather waist cincher belt, polished perfection. Technical feats were prevalent on a lustrous chain engulfing, bronze embroidered, textural ebony, three quarter sleeve mini dress, decadence reigning supreme. 

Monochromatic graphic coral branches punctuated a velvet lace up blouse reminiscent of Tom Ford's 2002 YSL glory days. The coral embellishment continued to flourish on a ruffled flounce high-low hem evening skirt which was married to a matador derived cropped jacket.

The collection closed with a cherry blossom pink, cutaway ruffled evening dress. A voluminous top was paired to a romantic mermaid frilled skirt which conveyed sheer elegance. A striking coral collar in ink looked as though it was discovered deep in the depths of the spellbinding ocean.

By Courtney Jones.