Alexander Wang for Balenciaga SS ’14
When I wrote some of the other reviews from Paris Fashion Week I had no idea that I would, at one point, have to compare them to the insurmountably awesome Balenciaga Spring 2014 show. It was a beacon of what a show from one of Fashion’s most coveted house’s since the 20th century should be like… at least in the market today that is. There were perfect evening pieces that ranged from elegant jackets in soft silks (that acted like dresses) to structured party dresses that acted like the party. There were loose flowing tops (that included a tank) to silk blouse’s which were more Wang than Balencaga but the fact that he injected his personality into the line this season was a sign of things to come. Profit. That’s what’s to come. Huge Profit!
Last season was Wang’s first collection under the Balenciaga name and it was all Balenciaga. Industry insiders keep giving him props due to his respect for the house and Cristóbal Balenciaga himself. I bet all this comes from the uproar and shock at Hedi Slimane’s many disrespectful actions toward YSL including but not limited to taking the French fashion house to L.A. and renaming the brand to Saint Laurent Paris cutting out Yves altogether. But that’s just my opinion.
So now that Wang has paid his respects to Cristobal Balenciaga… now he has almost free reign to do whatever he wants… well… almost whatever he wants. The high-waisted woven gym shorts were possibly a stretch… but as Rick Owens said in an interview “it’s the duty of the young people to provoke the old people and it’s the duty of the young people to question conformity” which I think encapsulates the new Balenciaga.
It was youthful while being elegant and wearable for so many clients. I bet the staff at Balenciaga are thrilled with the line because they know it will literally fly off the shelves. Now all he has to do is come out with a stellar “it bag” and it’s over!
Photos via: style.com and Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.Com
Video: Style.com
This was a great collection. I thought it was neat how Wang seems to really be marking Balenciaga with unique sensibilities.
Nice article BTW 😉
Thanks Jenny,
Not sure what I thought about the collection, then again – I’m STILL not sure what I think about Mr. Wang…so….
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but as for Wang… He’s a genius!
Ok, I loved the clothes…point of contention: Anorexic girls. There is no way that little girl int he purple woven -sporty?- outfit should be that skinny. Note the arm hair gleaming in the light. The body on a girl typically does that in response to malnutrition.
That rant aside, it was an innovative, very much Alexander Wang for Belenciaga collection. Okay, nope, still over the models.
Yikes… well I certainly don’t know about that, but I have to kind of agree that the models are all a bit thin this season. Especially in Alexander Wang’s namesake collection.
Hopefully the introduction of plus size models and “regular women” into the industry will help discourage casting “anorexic girls.”