Balmain Menswear Spring 2016
One of the most fascinating things about designing is the—for lack of a better term— “therapeutic value” of what we create. Clothing changes self-perceptions—after all, isn’t that the whole point of this industry?
I’ve come to realize that the creative process itself offers a very different sort of therapy for me, as well. As they take shape, my designs often surprise me with how well they crystallize my present state of mind—and this collection is a perfect example of that. This is my first menswear show for Balmain and my team and I are very excited about the many new possibilities and challenges that lie ahead. So, it seems so right that this collection looks to the great explorers and adventurers of the early twentieth century for inspiration.
The modern mindset of these men appeals to me just as much as their unique style and thrilling exploits. Those scientists and aristocrats were so unlike the generations of imperialists that had come before them. Instead of glory, conquest and territories, these were men who were seeking new understandings and experiences. Above all, they were thrilled by the many as-yet-unknowns that lay ahead.
During their epic journeys, these men notably melded the styles of distinct cultures to create a truly adaptive wardrobe. And, just as they did, this collection looks to a host of influences. The tactile suedes, cottons and leathers reflect the cleansing, neutral tones of the desert—that abstractly beautiful landscape that held such allure for these great explorers. The mix includes several touches from my generation’s own way of dressing, including relaxed waists, layered shorts and slightly dropped crouches. And, of course, there is still the recognizable style of the new Balmain man and the expert craftsmanship that only a true Parisian house can produce.
Olivier Rousteing
One of the most fascinating things about designing is the—for lack of a better term— “therapeutic value” of what we create. Clothing changes self-perceptions—after all, isn’t that the whole point of this industry?
I’ve come to realize that the creative process itself offers a very different sort of therapy for me, as well. As they take shape, my designs often surprise me with how well they crystallize my present state of mind—and this collection is a perfect example of that. This is my first menswear show for Balmain and my team and I are very excited about the many new possibilities and challenges that lie ahead. So, it seems so right that this collection looks to the great explorers and adventurers of the early twentieth century for inspiration.
The modern mindset of these men appeals to me just as much as their unique style and thrilling exploits. Those scientists and aristocrats were so unlike the generations of imperialists that had come before them. Instead of glory, conquest and territories, these were men who were seeking new understandings and experiences. Above all, they were thrilled by the many as-yet-unknowns that lay ahead.
During their epic journeys, these men notably melded the styles of distinct cultures to create a truly adaptive wardrobe. And, just as they did, this collection looks to a host of influences. The tactile suedes, cottons and leathers reflect the cleansing, neutral tones of the desert—that abstractly beautiful landscape that held such allure for these great explorers. The mix includes several touches from my generation’s own way of dressing, including relaxed waists, layered shorts and slightly dropped crouches. And, of course, there is still the recognizable style of the new Balmain man and the expert craftsmanship that only a true Parisian house can produce.
Olivier Rousteing
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