Balenciaga F/W 2008.09 Paris

[Caffeine]

I feel like this is a hybrid of at least 3 of his previous collections.

SS03, FW03,SS06 etc...

 

[laughingdisorder]

This is gorgeous, so much better than last season.

 

[Symetrie]

yes, exactly...
that's why i'm wondering where the stealing from alber's rounded shoulder reference came from...
really it's nicolas referencing his own work and cristobal's work...

That's true, so Nicolas has the right to change/tweak that look however he likes because it is created by Cristobal anyway. He didn't steal anything.
(Although it's already seen from his previous collections )

 

[daoudmac]

Absolutely stunning, so far the best collection with the most direction. Margiela and Balenciaga are the two collections i think have the best looks for the future of fashion and setting new direction.

 

[gia0202]

dresses are great but the pants are the same old same old .

you were just hoping for some widelegged---perferably highwaisted!! lol.

 

[gia0202]

it is a more sophisticated interpretation of earlier themes. I sense some Prada/lanvin in this collection, but who's complaining?
These are beautiful influences.

Overall---just gorgeous. I agree with earlier comments. Nick is a DESIGNER, in a world of stylists.
just the other day someone said he was inferior to Alexander Wang (ridiculous huh?)

 

[vogue28]

fantastique

 

[Squizree]

DAMN!!!! I love this!! Just the perfect blend between chic and sexy!!! The shiny pieces rock and the makeup suits everything very well.

 

[Squizree]

Balenciaga RARELY disappoints! The thigh high slits in those skirts make me weak at the knees and the shoes are amazing. Im glad hes kept it simple this time, theres not too much going on. MUCH better than his last hideous fall collection.

 

[I_killed_couture]

The shoes are pure sex. I love this collection!

 

[mistress_f]

wow im sooo surprised i love this. i generally dislike his designs, but this season i really like almost everything from this collection...

 

[Label Basher]

This is soooooooooooo much better than SS 08 but it's not the best collection for the season (Versace is WAY better than this). I do like the "twist tops" (is there a correct name for that style; what do we call them?).

I LOVE the jewellery. It so interesting. I want.

Models wearing make up for once. Have the models ever worn make up at a Balenciaga show before. It's fantastic.

 

[fouroclock]

I really like the chicness and the 99% tight-fit silhouette that these clothes bring. there's also this exoskeletal aspect to it. The shoulders of the first pieces were solid, the drape tops anatomical. In one way, his mind seems to be the 21st century version of Cristobal's vision.

Nonetheless, you guys already referred to obscure references to other designers, but the drape tops, as much as I like them, are obvious echoes of Dior Couture. Sort of drives me on the fence although I still wanna put Balenciaga on my top ten.

 

[ApertureRomance]

SS03, FW03,SS06 etc...

Definitely , with a diferent colour palette

However I like how he uses references and Balenciaga still has a modern edge that I think gives it an advantage over designers like Galliano who (whilst I am a fan) constantly reference the past in a very obvious way.

 

[Cosette]

They do indeed look like condoms.

I love the draped tops... so beautiful... but everything else? I mean, usually his collections are so far out there that initially I practically hate them with a passion or love them beyond I thought possible. This is sparking neither emotion. Dull...

 

[rangerrick14]

I love how he can make a full 360 degree turn every season

 

[Caffeine]

Definitely , with a diferent colour palette

However I like how he uses references and Balenciaga still has a modern edge that I think gives it an advantage over designers like Galliano who (whilst I am a fan) constantly reference the past in a very obvious way.

Exactly. He is working on his own designs...I remember that Alber Elbaz once said that he was never satisfied with past collection and there were always things to improve. This is exactly what Nicolas Ghesquiere has been doing.

 

[laika]

I agree with Bidwell that the copying issue is moot, and also rather unfair here.

I also have to agree with Ale though, that this collection is just heaps and heaps of ascending ugly. I know it's just a detail, but the worst thing for me is those front slits on the first black/b+w dresses. Sheer vulgarity, and I'm not one to use that word often.

 

[*k.a.t.e*]

I was looking forward to this and I'm not disappointed! A really great collection from Balenciaga yet again!

 

[Meg]

oh my first comment got deleted. In it I basically said, I really loved the refining that Nicolas's been doing because really s/s was so NOT wearable. The pants really could not be flattering on anyone other than Caffeine. so i'm glad to see him changing textiles a bit.

I agree Kim on the referencing himself. When you see the closeup of those printed latex tops/dresses and it has all the water/waves it immediately made me think of the scuba theme which he references pretty much every single season. Even last season he made a pair of scuba leggings.