Demna Gvasalia is fashion’s naughtiest and most influential provocateur of the moment, with much of what he does becoming some of the most controversial, covetable and copied of looks. Reporting from the show at Paris Fashion Week, editor Noelle Loh forecasts the hits and trends he’ll spark from his Spring Summer 2017 collection for Balenciaga.
Already a mainstay in his own label Vetements, these power shoulders are an even more extreme take on the Frankenstein-ian silhouette he introduced in his Balenciaga Fall Winter 2016 debut and push his case for grotesque chic.
You know that segment in “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” where the cast is tasked to interpret the most mundane of everyday objects in a creative way? Gvasalia would ace it. After last season’s “pirate traveller’s” bag, he follows up with what looks like a classic laundry bag in buttery soft calfskin. (P.S.: it’ll also make a great weapon.)
Last season, it was simply a matter of tucking one side of an oversized shirt in and leaving the other hanging out. This season, simply pin up any excess cloth. Hooray too for not having to iron.
Only closer inspection will tell whether the update on the bag of last season now comes in the material it originally is made of. From the runway, it sure looks like it save for a leather trim. Does that mean it’s going to be more affordable? Maybe. Are people going to be baulking at Gvasalia’s audacity to call this high fashion? For sure – making it all the more a statement piece.
It’s baggy, gaudily-printed and might make you look as if you’re wearing a table cloth. But it’s also one of the key silhouettes of Spring Summer 2017 with even pretty brands like Chloe doing it. In acid ’60s florals, Balenciaga version ranks top in terms of auntie chic.
Like having latex poured over your skin and stiletto pumps. Incredibly unforgiving; incredibly fashion forward.
Who would think to make the oversized bag and quilted comforters come packed in a travel friendly tote? Gvasalia for Balenciaga, complete with a mish mash of prints you’ll find on the tackiest of bedding.
Or is it rubber? This is the most ironic of raincoats we’ve seen on the runways in years, making it also one of the most collectible.
Light as air, it comes complete with a mouthpiece. Again, its humorous edge makes it a collectible.
A key trend running through Spring Summer 2017, Balenciaga’s take oozes punch with unexpected yet pleasing pairings like raspberry with electric violet; and indigo and turquoise.
Like this? See why editor Noelle Loh approves of Anthony Vaccarello’s debut collection for Saint Laurent, the young designers exciting her most now and why being in fashion is hard work.