Balenciaga F/W 2008.09 Paris

[Snow-White]

these designs are so different from anything I have seen! I vote it as the best of the season so far.

 

[helmut.newton]

^^^ agree!

 

[helmut.newton]

Can you believe finale dresses are US$46,665!!!

Oh. My. GOD. They've got to be kidding with prices like this?!

Why is Balenciaga so ridiculously overpriced?!

I mean, most of their pieces are not value for money. They get ruined really easily. For example, the piece that Amanda Laine wore in the show, creases very easily once you sit down, move around etc etc. Take a look at the end result of in Vogue Italia where one of the models is sitting down in this coat. Its creased and scratched!! And thats just after one day of photo shooting!


It seems to me, they're getting greedier in terms of money. Isn't Balenciaga owned by the Gucci Group? Which is notoriously pushing for profit to compete with their rival LMVH?

 

[gius]

which issue of Vogue Italia ? ^

do you mean the model sat down and then when she stood up it was permanently creased/scratched ??

i always thought the high prices was a way of preventing seeing everyone wearing the same outfit if that is a good reason..

 

[Spike413]

Those finale dresses are hand painted and embroidered by the same ateliers that do work on couture collections (Lesage, Genevieve-Cotte, Lanel....), hence the price.

As far as the patent leather jackets, that kind of stuff happens to all patent leather. It scratches easily and shows creases....it's not just Balenciaga's pieces that it would happen to.

 

[4n98]

amazing

bravo futuristic！

 

[elegantly_wasted]

Much for it! I'd wear it all!

 

[SnejanaIsMyMuse]

I really liked this collection.

Simple but tough.

 

[mackos]

I was really obsessed with the samurai jackets and now I'm even more after seeing one on Anna


Aja Mok's scan

 

[JessicaYorkin]

I love those latex dresses + the samurai jackets! I also like that white/turquoise dress under the blue samurai jacket. And the latex booties with the rock crystal on the back=LOVE

 

[maffam]

Those finale dresses are hand painted and embroidered by the same ateliers that do work on couture collections (Lesage, Genevieve-Cotte, Lanel....), hence the price.

As far as the patent leather jackets, that kind of stuff happens to all patent leather. It scratches easily and shows creases....it's not just Balenciaga's pieces that it would happen to.

that's absolutely true, and in addition, samples are sent around to so many places that oftentimes they are damaged in between and show wear. it's highly unlikely the vogue italia shoot mentioned was the first time that coat was worn.

 

[Miss Laura]

I like alot of the dresses but the rest isn't really my style.

 

[IloveDiorHomme]

I love the whole Balenciaga thing, but sometimes, I tell myself that Ghesquiere just goes into Balenciaga's archives and just re-cut former Cristobal's work... or other fashion designers...

Am I wrong ?

 

[gius]

^ which archive could you compare this collection to ?

 

[Spike413]

Personally the only Ghesquiere collection where I found myself thinking he simply xeroxed archival designs was F/W 06 with all of those dolman sleeved cocoon coats , stiff ruffled peplums and neat little jackets.

Other than that I think he's very careful in making sure he doesn't reproduce the archives, but rather reinterprets them. I mean, aside from the shape of the tweed jackets he showed in this collection (which are a signature Balenciaga look), and if you squint your eyes those three shiny silvery dresses with the sculpted fronts, nothing in here looks like anything Cristobal himself would have made.

And to be fair, most designers that design for an old couture house have reworked signature pieces. Karl is constantly reworking and perfecting the boxy tweed jacket at Chanel (and his RTW versions usually look like the ones Coco herself designed). Galliano has reworked the nipped waist padded Bar jacket at Dior dozens of times, not to mention his countless takes on the full skirted ball gown. Tisci has done some really beautiful takes on the Bettina blouse at Givenchy.

So if Ghesquiere is open for criticism because he isn't completely revolutionizing iconic Balenciaga pieces for today, then shouldn't all of the other designers that are working for legendary houses be held to the same standard?

 

[SnejanaIsMyMuse]

This collection is the exact style of things I think of when I think of Balenciaga.

 

[IloveDiorHomme]

Personally the only Ghesquiere collection where I found myself thinking he simply xeroxed archival designs was F/W 06 with all of those dolman sleeved cocoon coats , stiff ruffled peplums and neat little jackets.

Other than that I think he's very careful in making sure he doesn't reproduce the archives, but rather reinterprets them. I mean, aside from the shape of the tweed jackets he showed in this collection (which are a signature Balenciaga look), and if you squint your eyes those three shiny silvery dresses with the sculpted fronts, nothing in here looks like anything Cristobal himself would have made.

And to be fair, most designers that design for an old couture house have reworked signature pieces. Karl is constantly reworking and perfecting the boxy tweed jacket at Chanel (and his RTW versions usually look like the ones Coco herself designed). Galliano has reworked the nipped waist padded Bar jacket at Dior dozens of times, not to mention his countless takes on the full skirted ball gown. Tisci has done some really beautiful takes on the Bettina blouse at Givenchy.

So if Ghesquiere is open for criticism because he isn't completely revolutionizing iconic Balenciaga pieces for today, then shouldn't all of the other designers that are working for legendary houses be held to the same standard?

I agree with you. I love Ghesquiere's work, really, but I was not totally sure that he just takes a pen and draws all those beautiful garments and amazing silhouettes. He works with archives and it's ok, I mean, when you work for such a big label (as Lagerfeld for Chanel ). I can't blame him, when you have to keep the spirit of a big "maison" such as Balenciaga and it's better like that ( I didn't like when Tom Ford worked for YSL, where there was no respect ).

 

[alejandropa89]

I love the whole Balenciaga thing, but sometimes, I tell myself that Ghesquiere just goes into Balenciaga's archives and just re-cut former Cristobal's work... or other fashion designers...

Am I wrong ?

Cristobal used Legos for the shoes? hahaha

 

[4n98]

the cocoon silhouette is it Look now!
Balenciaga's influence is everywhere in 09 SS now.

 

[Lideeh]

That collection is extremely amazing and so inspiring.I love all these volumes and the architectural side of it.I think the hair and make up fit great with the outfits...Ghesquiere made a good job.
Balenciaga never disappoints me
I also liked the music of the show.