Lady LUX

For Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012, Balenciaga presented a classic urban collection at the Rue Cassette venue. Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquière has once again gone back to Cristobal Balenciaga’s original archives to construct the line, reported Style.com.

As the show kicked off, fashionistas feasted their eyes on metallic jackets with exaggerated shoulders contrasted with belted, high-waisted micro-mini shorts that accentuated the models’ legs. The tailored, yet oversized jackets boasted bright blocks of color with shimmering gold and bright magenta and olive tones muted with black and white panels and horizontal chest straps. Color-block ensembles were the order of the day, with endless color-block looks parading down the catwalk. Next up, fierce prints and fun textures took over the show.

Signature Balenciaga pieces and textiles were brought back to life with satin scarf-printed shirts with swirling, circus-like patterns tucked into high-waisted pants and asymmetrical, spongy white T-shirts draped over skirts. Tailored lines, used in padded shouldered jackets and skirts, exuded an Asian warrior vibe.

via Style.com

For a dramatic ending, long dresses and skirts displayed a quilt-like look, with squares of different prints and patterns patched together. Skirts were cut with thigh-high slits for a simple yet sexy look. The long skirts were mixed with shiny, plastic fringe and stretchy black leather for a striking ensemble. Tailored denim slacks were thrown into the line with high-waisted, pleated pants, which balanced out the profusion of top-heavy jackets, puffy sleeves and dramatic draping.

via Style.com

Accessories were all the rage; models strutted in bright, animal-print, high-heeled booties and pumps with thick straps and geometric shapes like triangles added to heels. Many carried plush leather clutches and large bags on one arm while showing thick, plastic neon bangles on the other. The must-have accessory was the show-stopping black elongated sun visor – which was worn backward.

Models’ hair and make-up was kept bare to focus attention on the stylish collection. Hair styles emphasized long, sleek and straight looks, parted down the middle. Make-up went matte and minimal with barely any color shown, except for a dramatic bordeaux lip color at the end of the collection.

Balenciaga is known for being classic and modern, and Ghesquière did just that–with an ornate twist perfect for Spring.

Tagged in: paris, fashion week, balenciaga, runway, spring 2012, paris fashion week, nicolas ghesquière, nicolas ghesquiere,

Fashion / Runway