It’s as if Alice tumbled down the rabbit hole and landed in a Wonderland of odd shapes, exaggerated imagery and a beautifully crooked reality. This is what Balenciaga’s fall/winter 2016 ready-to-wear collection, the debut of new artistic director Demna Gvasalia: a reimagining of Cristobal Balenciaga’s couture attitudes.
His favorite shapes are present in the sportswear-driven collection. His signature cocooning opera coats are applied in parkas, bomber and biker jackes. The off-the-shoulder cuts pull jackets away from the body. Down jackets are cross-bred with evening wraps and layered with bombers. Oversized florals are all-over prints on tops. Traditional concepts of sophistication and eveningwear are challenged with the rebellious athleisure aesthetic — a narrow lurex skirt, in what most definitely is a celebratory shade of silver, comes with a matching oversize sweater.
The Bazar bag, a luxurious version of the laundry bag in blue and white, makes an appearance during the press preview. It’s also hurriedly swept away into the vault. Somebody owns it. Meanwhile at the boutique, classic Balenciaga handbags and their minis are on display, based on toolboxes they say, continuing in the modern utilitarian trend.
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In the Philippines, Balenciaga has boutiques at Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, and 8 Rockwell, distributed by H&F Retail Concepts.