Balmain SS25 Lets Art Imitate Humanity

Balmain SS25 Lets Art Imitate Humanity

As a fashion enthusiast who has been fortunate enough to witness Olivier Rousteing’s creative journey over the years, I must say that his Spring 2025 collection for Balmain is nothing short of breathtaking. The way he seamlessly blends the rich heritage of the House with modern aesthetics is truly a testament to his genius.


Olivier Rousteing is undeniably a creative mastermind. For Spring 2025, his designs for Balmain transformed into an expansive art piece. Realistic portrayals of faces, nails, and lips were prominently displayed through intricate embroidery, replacing the label’s structured shapes. Moreover, round-shaped heads, resembling the sculpture Rousteing wore to this year’s Met Gala with Tyla, were incorporated into skirts and dresses alike. Throughout the collection, Rousteing showcased his artistic prowess so vividly that Cardi B couldn’t help but grin from ear-to-ear in the front row.

In his notes for the collection, Rousteing expressed that they’ve maintained a highly concentrated set-up, with the intention of making every design instantly identifiable as bearing distinct elements of today’s contemporary Balmain. He achieved this by leaning on the House’s skilled artisans, who excel in creating powerful shoulder lines, defined waists, and sparkling embellishments that are relevant to modern fashion. His inspiration board was adorned with Monsieur Balmain’s groundbreaking “New French Style” and, more precisely, his iconic “Jolie Madame” silhouette.

In reality, Rousteing’s captivating portrait pieces were adorned with hundreds of thousands of beads meticulously sewn over several weeks onto his structured designs. This work mirrored Pierre Balmain’s ornamental style from the 1940s and ’50s, yet much of the line’s styling had a familiar feel, resembling Rousteing’s personal everyday aesthetic — a harmonious fusion of traditional and modern elements.

For more than a decade now, my preferred ensemble on the runway and during press meetings has been the classic combination of skinny leather pants paired with a DB jacket over a basic tee or tank top. Interestingly, this style has found its way into this season’s extensive collection of daywear, as penned by Rousteing.

After the final rotation, Balmain’s show concluded with a group of models donning straightforward silk sheets in various subdued tones. Rousteing referred to these final ensembles as his favorite representation of the brand’s emblem: “the empowering diversity of beauty that is consistently celebrated within our inclusive Balmain community.

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2024-09-26 16:56