Olivier Rousteing put forth a stunning narrative on today’s freedom of speech with Balmain’s Fall 2019 show at Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Sayings such as “You only know my name, not my story.” and “Your comments I don’t mind. Hate with passion is love.” were plastered all over jackets, hoodies, accessories, and more—obvious commentary on how divisive the state of society has become in recent years. So what does Rousteing do? Present a collection that intertwines both men and women and creates a genderless wardrobe. There were some womenswear looks in his men’s show that night, but one wouldn’t know it as they were dressed in stereotypical tropes of masculine fashions. And while this wasn’t new, the concept behind it was staggeringly current. In an ironic twist, what the women wore were more strictly tailored than what the men had on, which were mostly bouclé—a feminine fabric in French fashion—induced ensembles. The palette remained black and white with hints of blue by way of the denim pieces in the latter half of the show. But with their broad shoulders and sleek silhouettes, this was yet another 80s-influenced outing. Despite having a modern message, will Rousteing’s Balmain ever catch up with times?
Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com
