Every fashion week has it's own capsule mood- New York is classic, wearable pret-a-porter; London is young and painfully progressive; Milan is elegant and drop-dead sexy; and Paris is cutting edge conceptual. Balenciaga's Fall 2009 collection is, in District L's opinion, a stunning synthesis of Milan sexy and Paris concept.
Balenciaga this season seemed to be all about contrasts- form fitting salt-and-pepper knit sweaters paired with molten silk turban skirts, and broad shouldered and sharply tailored suits in a liquid print that brought marbled igneous rock to mind. Fluid draping was also a cardinal element in the collection- the textures it provided were key in creating contrasts both within and between looks.
Of particular note were structured suit jackets which dissolved into swarthy, luxurious silk columns as they wound down the body. Transitions were seamless, the experimental elements of the line were extremely evident and executed with a figure-conscious elegance.
Particular emphasis was placed on the torso- accentuated shoulders, binding lace bras, well-placed darts, and knotted leather belts played essential roles in make the dichotomy of upper body and lower body apparent. Aforementioned draped turban skirts were a leit-motif throughout the collection; we forsee the pairing of a sharp jacket and silken draped skirt a'la Balenciaga as an emerging trend for Fall.
Photos from Coutorture.com
