If there’s one thing that Demna Gvasalia is doing (besides making the elite fashion set drool over his designs), it’s bringing a wittiness and comicality back into the snobby and oft stuffy industry of style. His price points are absolutely no joke—not affordable by any means of the imagination—but the way he plays with silhouettes, details, patterns, and textures is nothing short of drôle: he does show at Paris Fashion Week after all.
His Resort 2017 collection for Balenciaga iterates and spins the classics for the season on their heads. Breezy, striped kaftans are lengthened to the floor and accented with asymmetric sleeves. Logo baseball caps top off every ensemble: sure to fly off both brick and mortar and digital shelves almost instantaneously. Glossy pearl drop earrings and bracelets place elegant emphasis on otherwise casual ensembles. And those oversized striped shoppers show up again because why not?
Beach-ready towels were draped over a models’ shoulders—in case they feel like kicking off their triple, ankle-strap pumps for a beachside romp. And shorts were sculptural and expertly tailored in bermuda lengths: in monochrome looks with elegantly cascading tops and sporty zip-front jackets alike.
Chic striped dresses in a slew of shapes are sure to pull in Balenciaga’s tried-and-true fans, as well as a whole new set of women who just want a really gorgeous dress to wear across seasons.
As this isn’t a runway assortment, the looks didn’t have as much red carpet appeal as the iconic French fashion house usually serves up for the catwalk. But fans like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner are sure to still latch onto the figure-clinging turtlenecks, strong-shouldered suiting, and asymmetric bodysuits.
Thoughts on the latest from Balenciaga?
Images: Vogue.com
