Moodboard: After announcing his amicable departure from the house in late July, Alexander Wang spent the summer constructing one of his most nuanced and wildly irreverent collections for Balenciaga. Wang chose white as his parting palette, for a textural melee of lace and embellishment that upcycled streetwear silhouettes with a luxuriant hand. Think silvery boxer shorts peeping from beneath fluid pyjama pants, or snap-button swing coats thrown over skimpy lingerie slips.
Finishing touches: On foot, Chinatown mesh slippers were given a luxurious update in white lacework embroidered with pearls, just as other streetwear references received a quasi-couture touch. Fanny packs in creamy satin duchesse, tasselled leather duffel bags, and engraved golden dog tags or cigarette cases elaborated his 'American in Paris' message more strongly than ever. It was the joyous sentiment of a confident designer happily heading home.
Setting the scene: Within the arched halls of the ex-Laennec hospital behind Le Bon Marché, a cross-shaped catwalk was divided by low ornamental pools, their beveled edges prefaced by the architectural invitation cut in white beveled plywood. Coupled with palest pink carpet underfoot, its tranquil effect was a sharp and welcome contrast to the dark, hard-edged polish of season's past.
INFORMATION
Photography: Umberto Fratini; Balenciaga
-
Wild sauna, anyone? The ultimate guide to exploring deep heat in the UK outdoors‘Wild Sauna’, a new book exploring the finest outdoor establishments for the ultimate deep-heat experience in the UK, has hit the shelves; we find out more about the growing trend
-
Highlights from the transporting Cruise 2026 showsThe Cruise 2026 season began yesterday with a Chanel show at Lake Como, heralding the start of a series of jet-setting, destination runway shows from fashion’s biggest houses
-
Behind the design of national pavilions in Venice: three studios to knowDesigning the British, Swiss and Mexican national pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 are three outstanding studios to know before you go
-
Palace unites with Rapha to celebrate inaugural Tour de France FemmesMarking the first time women will compete in the historic cycling race since the late 1980s, this new collaboration sees Palace Skateboards and Rapha create uniforms for both on and off the bike – including an ‘outlandish’ pair of Crocs
-
Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022: Chanel to Miu MiuIn this extended report, Wallpaper* updates you live from Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022 shows, with rolling coverage as runway events unfold
-
Scene-stealing runway sets from S/S 2022 womenswear showsFrom giant roulette wheels to Olympic diving boards and multi-city synchronized extravaganzas – our pick of the best fashion show sets from S/S 2022 womenswear
-
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 WeekHow the City of Lights looked to the sartorial realities of our much changed lifestyles
-
A decade of fashion show history in picturesBritish photographer Jason Lloyd Evans shares his favourite backstage images, from the runway shows of Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Armani, Proenza Schouler, Versace and more
-
Louis Vuitton A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Chanel A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
