Balenciaga (June 2004 - December 2012)

[rangerrick14]

I just want them to actually put out the runway pieces and make money off the bags and shoes. If some women can't handle the rigor of these clothes...too bad for them

 

[Meg]

I saw some of the pieces at Barney's SF last weekend. The label read "Balenciaga Silk Collection" or something to that effect. The print only really works on the incredibly structured pieces imo. other than that, it's just a flowery print.

 

[kimair]

the barneys in sf will have some of the runway pieces...
i went to the trunkshow late last year, and they were simply amazing in person...

meg...i agree with you about the floral prints...they just don't work as well on the silk pieces...

 

[Caffeine]

the fourth blue dress is an "edition" dress, which means it's a reproduction of an old Balenciaga design from the 60s to the 70s.
I agree with Meg also.
btw the FW clothes are even more expensive. I don't know what to say.

 

[Grill]

^ That's interesting what you say Caffeine about the pricing for Fall/Winter.

Not being particularly enamoured with this season's offerings from Balenciaga, I haven't passed by the boutique recently. However, I can confirm that the selection of bright floral pieces in an earlier post generally reflects the merchandise currently being sold in Parisian stores. Because of the huge expense of the pieces - sometimes commanding high five figure sums - even the flagship B store carries very few of the standout runway pieces. I imagine that they will carry the runway shoes though. In doing this I imagine Gucci group is trying to be business-savy, whatever people may say the vast proportion of the runway pieces are not only expensive in the extreme but also not highly wearable. Commercialisations are what are most readily available in store.

I am not particularly fond either of the Balenciaga silks and knits line - there's always a lot of these pieces available too - although the price point is significantly lower than the mainline pieces, the quality is correspondently poor. With shoddy materials and fraying seams.

Personally, I won't be buying any of this collection though the sandals are chic. I really like the prefall pieces and would be interested in checking out some of the blouses and shrunken jackets when they arrive.

Caffeine - are you planning on attending the fall/winter NYC trunk show?? If so I'd love your feedback. I wonder if the reported even higher prices have to do with the strengthening Euro against the poor saggy dollar or with construction of the pieces and materials used????

 

[Caffeine]

i attended already;
I was a bit disappointed. They didn't even have as many models as before.
The drapy velvet top, for instance, is priced at $5,500.
The black dresses are in $3k range, which is alright. But I can't imagine any real women who really like to add extra padding on the hips.
The dresses are five figures..I forget...either $50k+ or $80k+.
The more commercial pieces include some drapey silk tops priced at around $2k+
some jackets and skirts...
I"m sure that exchange rate is to do with the price, but I think that it is a shame that some of the best looking pieces are so unaccessible. The FW07 jackets are far more relevant IMHO.

 

[Grill]

Thanks for your feedback Caffeine

While Paris doesn't have a trunk show per se, my SA was raphsodising(sp?) over some of the Fall 08 pieces. Personally, nothing really sang to me from the catwalk collection shots in the same way that fall 07 did. Like you say, none of the upcoming show pieces feel relevant to me or to my wardrobe right now. While my husband loved the opening black dresses it's not like I wear or even own many dresses - and like you say even though I have a skinny lower half, I don't even warm to the idea of padding them out!!

I do like a few prefall pieces though - particularly the peterpan collared blouses shown under the cropped jackets and with the jeans, however I'm feeling a bit picky these days so I would need to see them irl before making a final decision on this. Does anyone feel the same way as me? That fashion wise 08 is hitting the bum notes? Or maybe its the economic climate. I'm being conservative so far this year and trying to buy simply stuff that's for keeps and not too trend driven.

Contrary to my supposition that the spring pieces weren't hot tickets apparently things are doing very well down at George V and those floral numbers are selling well!

 

[kimair]

holy crap!
thanks for your report caffeine...
i'm going to the trunkshow at barneys on the april 24...
25-50k for a dress...that is completely insane unless it's couture...

 

[LostInNJ]

Does anyone know where the Men's fall collection can be viewed...normally it is covered by men.style.com, but no such luck there.

 

[DriversHigh]

^I was wondering the same thing. Was there even one this season?

 

[LostInNJ]

I sure hope so...I was in the store the other day, but completely forgot to ask about the men's fall/winter collection. I'm hoping it'll pop up soon or images will be released from Balenciaga.

 

[DriversHigh]

What did they have as far as men's shoes?

I can't imagine why they would hold a show and not even give a hint as to it having occurred. I'm tempted to call and find out..

 

[LostInNJ]

I remember keeping an eye on a pair of black leather sandals, which they had two styles of, one with a closed toe and the other was more of a slide (if that makes any sense!)...I am determined to get the black suede lace up boots that they have. They are a carry over from fall only in suede instead of leather, but they are beautiful.

 

[Caffeine]

btw, the "costume jewelry" are priced at fine jewelry prices...

 

[JuiceMajor]

Like the look of the Balenciaga store. Somehow just not as avant-garde as the store in New York.

 

[DriversHigh]

I remember keeping an eye on a pair of black leather sandals, which they had two styles of, one with a closed toe and the other was more of a slide (if that makes any sense!)...I am determined to get the black suede lace up boots that they have. They are a carry over from fall only in suede instead of leather, but they are beautiful.

Sounds really promising. Good luck getting the shoes you want! I'll have to stop by Bal myself.

Also, as far as the Men's F/W collection goes, I honestly feel there might not be one? =/ It's almost April. The same goes for Rick Owens.

 

[Jungla_Juana]

hi guys, there's a good chance I'll go to the bal outlet in florence on saturday (yay!). I know that they have the ss07 robot collection in store so if anyone is searching for a particular item from that collection I can maybe do a pickup

 

[Guessgirl96]

I really love the velvet drapey tops but they are double what I was expecting... I wonder if thyere worth it in silk

 

[DriversHigh]

The new Arena Homme (Spring/Fall 08) has a preview of Balenciaga's Men's fall collection. Looks super promising especially as it seems Nicholas has taken many of the women's staples and altered them to satisfy a masculine fit.

I'll try to get scans!

 

[weathergirl]

I really love the velvet drapey tops

Me, too