Paris Fashion Week 2013: Balmain’s 1990s redux
PARIS -- Although Morrissey played on the soundtrack, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine played in my mind when I saw the spring-summer 2013 Paris Fashion Week collection from Balmain’s 27-year-old creative director Olivier Rousteing, who presented a love letter to 1990s style: leather bras, high-rise trousers, oversize hoop earrings and all.
The inspiration: 1990s Latin cool; Miami street rappers.
The look: Cropped jackets with big shoulders, midriff-baring tops and full cut, peg leg pants. Salsa skirts, minidresses, long jackets and leggings made from an exquisite combination of basket weave raffia and crystals. Vibrant black-and-white or yellow-and-black diamond prints. Black leather and denim.
The scene: Salma Hayek was front row, and it was easy to imagine her wearing some of the clothes both now -- and in her earlier life.
The verdict: A bold, sexy statement without overdosing on bling. Also some extraordinary craftsmanship to behold. Rousteing is pushing the Balmain story forward.
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Bottom photo: Looks from the Balmain spring-summer 2013 runway collection shown during Paris Fashion Week. Credit: Pierre Verdy / AFP / Getty Images
