Opposites attract (much attention and critical praise that is), a formula that only the likes of Nicolas Ghesquière seems to have mastered season after season during his tenure at the creative helm of Balenciaga.
Why change a formula that works? In his Spring 09’ collection, he explored the opposing elements of “matte and shine” while “playing with textures to see how they reflect and absorb light”, as well as “playing with our house codes”, meaning those sculptural pieces that are synonymous with Cristóbal Balenciaga, himself, techniques on which the house’s empire is built.
As in his Fall 08’ collection, Ghesquière brought us “back to the future” again with a series of looks that were fit for a present day Princess Leia.
Down the runway came neck to toe second-skin stockings with streaks of lurex, bonded jersey pantsuits, asymmetrical tightly draped elements ruched up into structured pieces, android looking asymmetric jackets, and metallic crinkled jackets.
The real “high-light” of the show was, quite literally, the cavalcade of dresses covered in individually cut iridescent ribbons that shimmered in pink, pewter, green, silver, and gold, making the audience briefly think they were privy to there own aurora-borealis light show.
The only stark parts of the show were the menswear looks, which looked more modern day Beatles clad in black, then their luminescent female space crusading counterparts who were wining the battle of defining a truly modern style one look at a time.
In an economic climate were people things look as little over cast and people are erring on the side of caution, Balenciaga is, literally and figurative speaking, creating a very “bright future” for itself and fashionistas everywhere.
Images courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.
