Having now had ample time to delve into Balenciaga's archives, artistic director Alexander Wang believed it was time to weave knitwear into the French house's codes for his third season at its helm. Crafted for a jet-setting woman as busy as Wang, the designer's knitted shapes came as finished looks, rather than interloping layered pieces. Even his leather dresses were tightly needled together, while others were made of intricate laser-cut 'chain mail' jersey. Extending the theme to outwear were raincoats constructed from a cable-knit foundation and laminated in Latex - a trompe l'oeil effect that continued throughout the collection. Wang's interest in reinventing the pant also embraced new elements. Some were combined with asymmetrical skirts, as sleeker versions featured zippered hardware, used to create crosses on his trousers and rounded woollen dresses. Leaning more on the house's lineage were Wang's encrusted pearl and rhinestone sweaters, fused with duchess satin and inspired by a brooch that he found in the Cristobal Balenciaga archive. Not to be outdone were his colourful crocodile gloves that concealed built-in wallets - a perfect finishing touch for his globalised girl-on-the-go who often had her hands full with multiple Balenciaga shopping totes.
Photography: Jason Lloyd-Evans
-
Byredo holiday collection draws inspiration from Wim Wenders and Georgia O’KeefeByredo’s creative image director Lucia Pica speaks to Wallpaper* in an exclusive interview, revealing her off-kilter design process
-
2024 Pantone Color of the Year is looking deliciously peachy
Peach Fuzz is Pantone Color of the Year – time to refeather your nest in a comforting hue?
-
Design Miami 2023 explores how design responds to the world around us
Design Miami 2023 (until 10 December), curated by Anna Carnick, is guided by the theme of ‘Where We Stand’
-
From The Simpsons to the European Parliament: best Balenciaga show sets
‘Ay, caramba!' In celebration of The Simpsons-inspired Balenciaga S/S 2022 runway show, which saw the residents of Springfield descend onto the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week, we present the best recent fashion show sets from the Parisian maison
-
Walk this way: navigating S/S 2021's Paris Fashion Week
How the City of Lights looked to the sartorial realities of our much changed lifestyles
-
Louis Vuitton A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
-
Chanel A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
-
Y/Project A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
-
Sacai A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
-
Alexander McQueen A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
-
Akris A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
