A legacy in design
For its pre-fall 2017 collection, Balenciaga has chosen to refine the characteristics of its winter 2016 wardrobe, beginning with a reconfirmation of the first “basque” hipped jacket and perfecting the distinctive forward-thrust shoulder line in hounds tooth tailoring.
Several more foundations make their appearance, including the short baracuda jacket, the super-padded ski jacket, the knee-high stiletto boot, now smothered with lace, and the instantly-identifiable Bazaar bag, which has grown to encompass a line of its own in multiple sizes.
Features from the spring-summer “fetish” 17 collection are redeployed, from the treatment of bright’70 swimwear-derived floral and body hugging fabrics to jersey crepe pantsand high-necked jersey day dresses.
The idea of the knotted ‘headscarf’, tied under the chin, ranges from the frilly fun of a baby-bonnet chiffon scarf to the neck-closures on trenches, and utilitarian windcheaterhoods. Underlying all of this is the reality of a living Parisian design culture with a narrative of its own, past and present. Today’s Balenciaga inspirations are sparked from in-house life, from Parisian street observation, and the legacy of M. Cristobal Balenciaga. At one end of this continuum, the origin of the satin-wrapped dresses worn long for evening, or knee-length for day. At the other, the extraordinary couture brooches designed by Cristobal Balenciaga in the ’60’s, which featured in the Women Spring Summer 17 show and have now been reproduced.
Check out the new collection at Siam Paragon and The EmQuartier.
