Paris Fashion Week fall 2013: Balmain review

PARIS -- Malibu gal pals Cher, jewelry designer Loree Rodkin and Chrome Hearts co-founder Laurie Stark sat front row on Thursday afternoon at Paris Fashion Week, taking in Oliver Rousteing’s rocker-chic Balmain collection.

The inspiration: The Oriental theme seen through the historical prism of Paris couturiers, from Paul Poiret in the 1920s to Christian Lacroix in the 1970s and 1980s.

The look: Rock ‘n’ roll genie. Fashion to the max. An hourglass silhouette consisting of high-waist, lame harem pants, paired with oversized, hyper-embellished jackets in geometric crystal embroideries that sparkled like disco balls. Jewel-tone, bias-draped miniskirts as skimpy as a silk turban, worn with thigh-high boots. Fuzzy angora sweaters over sweeping silk skirts slit high on the leg. Wide belts in gold metal resembling pleated fabric. Earrings as big as chandeliers.

The verdict: With the thumping Led Zeppelin music, it was hard not to get caught up in this magic carpet ride. Where would you wear these clothes if not on stage? Who knows. But if you have the bravado (and the big bucks), you’re gonna stop traffic.

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