September 26, 2022 |
There’s a new dawn at Bally this SS23. Under the creative direction of Rhuigi Villaseñor for the very first time, the luxury label was meticulously revamped. Villaseñor was already renowned for his own Americana-energizing house, Rhude – which emerged in 2015 through the outsider prism of his adolescent experiences as an 11-year-old Filipino immigrant who moved stateside – when he took up the reins at Bally. Now, at the invitation of Bally’s CEO Nicolas Girotto, Villaseñor is wielding that same subversive sword to reinvent the Swiss maison. By applying his crazy cool LA perspective and cross-cultural heritage to the semi-passé codes of Euro-luxe dressing, he sent sexed-up white-collar covered models roving across the runway.
Villaseñor was focused on opulence and sexiness. Think velvet tiger print suiting, loafer-led monochrome tailoring, form-fitting frocks and python-accented, engineered denim. He also introduced two new categories to the Bally lineup: jewellery and swimwear. While the bathers invited metallic tones to the beach, heavy-metal accessories, by the same agency, were a nod to Swiss traditions of watch and toy-making.
Of course, the lynchpin of Bally’s 171-year heritage, Swiss maroquinerie, was incorporated too. Coming in a vast array of disparately-treated leathers from butter-soft suede to polished calfskin, stretch nappa and opulent metallics, classic aviator and double-B moto-jackets, safari-inspired separates and louche tailored suits stole guests attention.
Villaseñor is just settling in behind the big desk of Bally, but is tenure at the brand is already shaping up to be quite something.
Photography courtesy of Bally.
