Balmain S/S 2012 Paris

[Fashion_Girl22]

style.it

 

[HeatherAnne]

What in the hell is going on here!?! This is worse than Decarnin's Balmain by miles (well, okay, minus a few of his later collections which were equally atrocious)! Big boxy silhouettes that make the girls look like linebackers, popped threads on the poorly constructed dresses, skirts that are about to ride up and reveal crotches, massive belt buckles and cheesy fringe that should be only be worn in the state of Texas. What a gaudy, awful, mess.

 

[alonsoJonathan]

the pieces/fabric look heavy

 

[Vitamine W]

Michael Jackson would have bought half of the collection in every color.

 

[IsabelMarantBoy]

Hmmmm, I need a little time to absorb this but I think I like it I think the new cut on the trousers is quite expensive looking and can be flattering on people who can't pull off their usual skinny low-rise bumster pants. I also like the embroidery on the boleros, it's between something egyptian and western. I can see a vague western reference because the boots look like cowboy boots to me. But what I don't like is how wide the waistband is on those high waisted skirts and shorts, it's vaguely old swimsuit/girdle-esqu But I still like this collection, I just don't love it yet

 

[Hyba_ella]

for me the best part of the collection it's his hot designer no seriously , I think Olivier just didn't want to make a radical change cause it's he's first , but let's hope with time He will impose his vision...

 

[Northern Star]

I don't see a massive change in the Balmain formula, but what I do see is better than the last few seasons. I became so dis-interested with this brand as every season looked the same, so I can happily welcome the change.
Lots of it works and bits of it doesn't. The detail is impressive and the gold pieces are somehow not tacky at all. Loving the belts, which have a touch of Versace and some 'interesting' looks to say the least....this one for example.


stylebistro.com

 

[Salvatore]

This is a really good collection. What I love a lot is the fact that it's still got the rock n roll edge, but it is somehow more polished and clean. With Decarnin, it seemed that the pieces were rolled around in the garbage before being placed on the catwalk.

The gold detailing I adore, of course, and my favourite pieces are those long skirts. This is a very good first collection for Olivier.

 

[Tentacl Ventricl]

Aside from the power-shoulders, this feels a lot softer than Decarnin's Balmain, it could just be the styling but the Balmain woman now feels more relaxed; as if she genuinely doesn't give a damn, instead of trying not to give a damn.

I think the opposite of this. It looks to me as if the collection would attract the sort of woman (not a girl I think) who's trying to channel a bit of rock chick but can't quite let go of her attachment to 'smart'. Compared to DeCarnin at his finest it's too gilded, too neat, too formal.

There were two or three looks that were passable but generally it doesn't quite strike the right note. It lacks the sex, the rock, the magic, of DeCarnin.
It is better than last season but that's not saying much.

A particular nod to worst in show - those wide leg black leather pants. They looked weighty, sweaty, cumbersome (same for the black leather maxi) - like you'd have to make far too much effort to drag the extra weight around.
Yes - that's what this work lacked - ease.

I've a feeling the new man can do better than this and will do so when he gets the uptown/downtown balance right.

 

[ultramarine]

I agree about everyone welcoming this change.

Its a softer Balmain and it dares break the mold and show a couple of new shapes.

I love everything gilded, because its luxe but not quite .. sl*tty-sl*tty? I approve.

 

[Fatalefashion]

Balmain | Spring Summer 2012 | Preview/Full Edited Show | High Quality (Exclusive on You Tube)

 

[lepetitcouturier]

I like how everyone on here is split. It's going to take a lot to get used to. Our generation is used to the rock and roll, shoulders up to the top of our head balmain. this is WAY better. i think olivier is who decarnin was trying to portray, but never got it right. although i hate those long skirts (the denim and leather ones, BLECH!). But the good thing is that one of these jackets can be 25k like the red one from two seasons ago that was covered in safety pins, but these will actually be worth it. this is what balmain from the fifties would look like now.

 

[JuiceMajor]

this collection will definitely be a hit for those women who stills want to be seen as young and sexy but not looking like wearing hers daughter's wardrobe!

 

[LiranYana]

looks the same Balmain
over still a good colelction

 

[franki]

i think the tackyness has been taken down at least one notch (though it is still there).
my biggest problem was the fit of the pants last season so i must say this is HUGE improvement.

 

[Zazie]

This looks "Italian", and NOT in a good way! While Decarnin did the same old, same old, he at least styled and infused them with a bad/rock girl vibe. This looks like a tacky over-embellsihed collection without any imagination or concept.

 

[honeyisle]

It's hot. It will sell like crazy.

 

[shutterbug]

The clothes look sharp but it's too flashy flashy for me. Maybe if he turned down the gold a touch.

 

[GivenchyHomme]

This is a good first effort, but if I were a woman I wouldn't wear any of it. And as a matter of fact I don't want any of it. I'm overwhelmed by all of the decoration and disappointed by the lack of imagination. This is a refined Balmain not a new Balmain. The name will sell this collection rather than the lust for it.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

It has the sophistication of Decarnin's first Balmain collections while still playing to that uncouth, obnoxiously assured, disgustingly wealthy, overly proud, mildly vapid, but AMAZING cougar woman, you know, Gianni's old girl. It's hell of a lot better than what Decarnin was doing the last few seasons.

I'm not wowed but I am pleased. I look forward to next season and seeing where this very young but very talented designer takes things.