Balmain
Designer: Olivier Rousteing

• “Glam rock was the keynote at Balmain where designer Olivier Rousteing sent out graphic silhouettes in black-and-white harlequins motifs, glittery embroidery on their shoulders.” {AFP}
• “The high point was the wicker-embellished cropped jackets that growled like a fierce, feminine exoskeleton.” {The Associated Press}
• “Did we mention the shoulders? Ultra-wide–wider than the Décarnin days–and just a touch softer, they added a dose of humor to this otherwise femme fatale-friendly look.” {Daily Front Row}
• “The quality of these clothes is unmistakably superlative. But the moment for that 80s silhouette has passed.” {The Daily Telegraph}
• “A runway show that could have easily doubled as a George Michael music video.” {FabSugar}
• “A bravura performance, where he blended elements of New Wave, haute glam and Latin rococo grandeur.” {Fashion Wire Daily}
• “He has also learned to temper his excess. There were simple tops and pants and tailored pieces in dark blue denim, sleekly tailored, moving Balmain far away from the scruffy-de-luxe look of its revolutionary shift from classic to cool.” {International Herald Tribune}
• “Olivier Rousteing of Balmain said he was inspired by Cuba (and Sade and her style of wearing men’s blazers over bra tops). Balmain has been a lot more upbeat since his arrival last year, and intricately constructed dresses that are delightfully ostentatious are becoming his specialty.” {The New York Times}
• “Rousteing’s exuberance is hard to fault. But he was on to something with those simpler leather and denim pieces. A little less couture aspiration and a little more cool would be a good place to start next season.” {Style.com}
• “This show had that sizzle, pushing silhouettes far enough to be challenging and backing them up with bold pattern and a level of bravura embroidery skill that touches the level of couture.” {Vogue.com}
• “More successful among the collection … were the denim pieces–shirts and jackets which were desirable and wearable, something that at times couldn’t be said necessarily of everything else.” {Vogue.com UK}
• “While there is no denying that the young designer’s workmanship was exquisite, i.e. the crystal beading on jackets and the elaborate basket weaves for minidresses, it often left heads spinning.” {WWD}