Balenciaga F/W 2008.09 Paris

[baddabling]

I think the real strength of this collection is the fact that after years of frou, silliness and girlish excess, a designer is finally saying that you can retain your femininity without giving up an ounce of strength, you can be powerful without becoming androgynous. That's true modernity, and something that, despite the rush to make women-friendly fashion, many designers have forgotten.

It's interesting that it took a man to finally spell it out for us. He took every cliche of the golden age of couture and womanly elegance and made them completely relevant again.

well said
personally, i am loving this. Ghesquiere has transitioned the silhouettes from SS 08 into fall quite nicely

 

[FogUponLA]

I think the ideas Nicholas has presented in this collection are so intriguing. Silk armor ( armor-like, that is.), a Latex/Patent dress, Wool over leather topped off with brilliant (costume) diamonds and pearls...it just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand right up! Read in to it what you will, the use of color and the details are flawless. He presents these women like beautiful Roman pillars...strong and substantial with the most delicate and inricate details. The more I see, the more I like.

 

[shopping247]

i am loving loving loving this collection! i am going to HAVE to get me a piece of this collection when it comes out. it's so wonderful!!!

 

[Starry]

I really love this collection! Absolutely amazing!
The structure and cutting are great, feminine and wearble at the same time! I'm glad this time it's more practical.

 

[dior_couture1245]

What I also love about this collection is how cold, watery and sterile it all looks. It's wet, sharp and stinging...reminds me of a syringe. The lighting, the colors, the tiled floor, the latex and the patent leather...it brings to mind images of indoor swimming pools and hospitals.

 

[Spike413]

^ That is just too twisted for words. I love it.

 

[cake_batter]

What I also love about this collection is how cold, watery and sterile it all looks. It's wet, sharp and stinging...reminds me of a syringe. The lighting, the colors, the tiled floor, the latex and the patent leather...it brings to mind images of indoor swimming pools and hospitals.

possibly the best description i have ever heard for a balenciaga show.

 

[dior_couture1245]

^^Why thank you.

It's simply the first thing that came to mind when I saw the whole collection!B)

 

[kahlilg]

What I also love about this collection is how cold, watery and sterile it all looks. It's wet, sharp and stinging...reminds me of a syringe. The lighting, the colors, the tiled floor, the latex and the patent leather...it brings to mind images of indoor swimming pools and hospitals.

yeah it's very stiff and really unwelcoming. even down to the make-up.

 

[mkd1187]

the top-silhouette looks good....

that is after Jen Connolly =(

come on Nic!

 

[Symetrie]

Video from Style.com

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gXCBqQqN8k4

 

[meowmix]

it's fierce, powerful...without sacrificing chicness or femininity. i am loving the bold shapes. what i'm seeing is the glorification of the strong female form... no more little rockstar in skinny little trousers.

 

[Tiago]

I agree; i think the whole rock chic is starting to go out the window. Designers are starting to consider heavy silhouettes, which, personally i think make the person wearing the garment so much stronger. More hip accentuating shapes would be nice!

 

[unspoiledbird]

First time I like a Balenciaga collection straight off the bat in, like, forever. Beautiful.

 

[sarah13]

I am in love with the draped top too!

 

[Miss Dalloway]

Lemeray thanks so much for the Hqs.

 

[educo]

What I also love about this collection is how cold, watery and sterile it all looks. It's wet, sharp and stinging...reminds me of a syringe. The lighting, the colors, the tiled floor, the latex and the patent leather...it brings to mind images of indoor swimming pools and hospitals.

Like One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, is that the right movie??

 

[Dyelle]

This looks decent. I hate everything balenciaga from fall 06 and forward, but maybe there's hope...

Same here. Glad he's no longer inspired by C3PO and flower print curtains.

 

[sarah13]

Who did the jewlery?

 

[Spike413]

^ I'm pretty sure Balenciaga does it's own costume jewelry, which I remember reading that all of the jewelry shown was costume, not genuine.