Although I was far from expecting a colorful exuberance from Alexander Wang’s first collection as the creative of the prestigious Balenciaga maison, but the Fall 2013 Collection he came up with during the Paris Fashion Week was somewhat cold and linear.
But maybe we’ll see side effects of his concepts injected into fast fashion as Wang’s Balenciaga ready to wear fall 2013 collection was pretty wearable and youthful. Simple, black and white with marbled gray here and there, metal noeuds and knotted jewelry (pretty clear which were the jewelry main lines for the fall season, remember Rodarte’s barb wire?). There was a lot for the young street savvy generation than for the dusted archives de la mode.
Wang played with the tulip shape, twisting it, turning it into a sexy back silhouette. He also conformed with the general stylists’ suggestions, playing with volumes (exaggerated tops and slim pants / pencil skirts). He had to play with the zebra print as well, so he turned into some pretty fur marbled waistcoats.
Globally feminine and restrained, the collection was clean and somber, the walking models looking in pain and suffering (hoping that’s not because of the clothes or the strange looking shoes). The critics expect a lot from Wang, but they’re willing to extend his credit beyond this quiet first collection he just delivered in Paris.
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I loved it. Very Balenciaga yet very commercial.
He could have gone a bit more edgy on shoes and accessories.
Watched this show twice last night. Twice because the first time there was no soundtrack and I was distracted by the faces front row. By the audience in general. My
God these people take themselves far too serious. Quite entertaining :)
Anyway, François-Henri Pinault loved what he saw. Obviously. Where was his wife? Jefferson Hack looked like he was at a funeral and Suzie Menkes worked hard writing and watching at the same time. This is how distracting it was without a soundtrack…..or it was the setting.
Anyway, I loved what I saw. A great collection. The man himself and his happy smile were a joyful end and I loved his choice of music. All well done.
ana, commercial? I know times have changed but wasn’t that once the meaning of prêt-à-porter?
Black and white at Dior, Balenciaga and also Viktor & Rolf. What’s happening with these two? I hated their show. I don’t like it much for some seasons but this time I hated it.
Appolonia, yes , you are right about the pret-a-porter. I meant: altough I loved the work of Nicolas Ghesquiere there, I always found his clothes very “difficult”.
Now, are you sitting ? Zara already has the marbled dress and sandals at the windows in Berlin.
How is that possible ?
I agree, Ghesquière clothes were ‘difficult’ to marble. I often wondered how to do it. How to make it accessible and keep the original idea……?
Oohh, you were in Berlin? Sighs…..and no, I am not surprised at all!! Oh, no, they made the deal fast.
Globalisation has a lot to do with imo. Call me paranoid, suspicious but I truly believe it……
But I still love this show. And a few more to watch. I did skip it today. I dream about clothes……:)
P.S,
ana, I L.O.V.E. this kind of news. If you like to share it I appreciate it very much. :)
really?! Better check some Zara windows then! Not that I would actually buy any of the marbled thingies, but I love to feel that special thrill: ‘hey! I’ve seen that before!’
Appollonia – I’m convinced you’re not paranoid! I’m certain that the fashion industry and many others like it are based on some giant tastemakers and trendsetters who are nothing more than statisticians, working with numbers and social habits, polls and surveys all piled together in domain – separated conclusions.
Kpriss, I was careful. I know I am not paranoid. I know how it works. ;)
Trendwatcher is a very serious job. Lidewij Edelkoort is one of those people whom decide what colour we see in almost every window and wear….. it’s so boooooooring……
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