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
-
Ferrari teams up with Montblanc for a high-performance fountain penThe Montblanc Ferrari Stilema SP3 is as sleek and rarefied as the company’s legendary sports cars. We spoke to Ferrari's Flavio Manzoni about the collaboration
-
Apartment interior design: outstanding spaces around the globe
Apartment interiors can be tricky to balance. Create a sense of space and get inspired by our global edit of architect-designed ideas. From minimalist mezzanines and lofts that bridge old and new, to sleek urban penthouses and dramatic transformations
-
Zegna’s ‘Triple Stitch’ sneaker captures the house’s 112 years of innovation
Zegna’s signature ‘Triple Stitch’ sneaker returns for S/S 2023, now available in luxurious fabrications – from grained leather to canvas and soft suede
-
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
-
A decade of fashion show history in pictures
British 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
-
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
