September 29, 2022 |
Olivier Rousteing thinks big. His Balmain Festival takes the brand way beyond any normal catwalk experience into stadium event territory complete with a superstar cameo from Cher. It’s icons only for Rousteing. The Balmain festival included live performers, a 100-look catwalk show followed by a couture finale after which the designer shared his bow with Cher, who is the face of the brand’s new bag.
It was intense. On one side of the vast catwalk, the fashion crowd shared stadium bleachers with celebrities, top clients and influencers (the cute Beckham newlyweds, Neymar) whilst 6,000 party-ready Balmain fans packed the other side. Part carnival, part runway, this was fashion as mass entertainment.
It also had a serious point. After what he described as a “summer of despair” which brought devastating heatwaves, floods, wildfires and droughts, Rousteing wanted to put climate change and sustainability at the top of his agenda. He admits Balmain is not 100% sustainable but he’s using many more sustainable earth-friendly fabrics, such as FSC- and Ecovero-certified viscose and sustainable Italian linens. He also used several raw, undyed fabrics which cut water usage. The collection oscillated between complex, crafted pieces – many made from biodegradable raffia and bamboo – and layered samurai warrior looks which gave the collection a raw edge.
The designer played also with Renaissance motifs for stretch jersey tube and corseted dresses. It was a time in human history when an explosion of progressive thought changed society and Rousteing suggested we need a new renaissance to survive the climate crisis.
The peril of the situation was reflected in tattered gowns, deconstructed to look like rags, whilst fire-printed pieces reflected the overheating planet. That plus Cher made for a Balmain night to remember.
Photography courtesy of Balmain.
