Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain collection for the Fall 2024 season just closed out the third day of Paris Fashion Week. At the show, an A-list front row was all but guaranteed with guests including music icon Cher and tennis ace Serena Williams. In a tribute to Bordeaux (the Balmain creative director’s hometown), a homage to Monsieur Pierre Balmain himself and to “the timeless elegance” of France, Rousteing proudly displayed the Balmain atelier’s expertise in draping, pleating and leather crafting to perfection. Models (who proved beauty has no age and no boundaries) paraded the runway dressed in sculptural and structured silhouettes, adorned with an array of exuberant embellishments and fruit motifs.

Read below the reactions of theFashionSpot’s forum members:

“Those shoes look so awful and clownish.” [LadyJunon]

“Those ugly shoes. Some designers should understand that no woman wants her feet to look bigger. What saves Olivier, always, is the cut and craftsmanship. The best thing about this collection is the cast. Seeing the original Prada woman, Charlotte Pellé Flossaut is such a nice surprise! All those veterans models! I love it.” [Lola701]

“Good cast! I love when designers use actual women as models instead of 15-year-olds.” [plentyofthorns]

“Wow, that’s the best cast in recent years…” [yslforever]

“I like how this is very obvious. This screams Middle East as the clientele, this is the type of the rich, tacky Middle Eastern woman you’d see going inside Harrods or Lafayette. The colors, the cut, the makeup, the bling – all of it.” [dontbeadrag]

“From Schiaparelli to Guo Pei, Rousteing referenced everyone.” [MagFan]

“Olivier took his references from everyone this season it would seem.” [LANZO_358]

“Tacky. Looks very cheap.” [AnaD]

“I actually love it, always been a sucker for that ladylike silhouette and aesthetic.” [Urban Stylin]

See all the looks from the Balmain Fall 2024 collection and join the conversation, here.

The post Forum Members Review Olivier Rousteing’s ‘Bordeaux-Inspired’ Balmain Collection for Fall 2024 appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Kylie Jenner just enlisted in the Balmain Army. The makeup mogul/reality star teamed up with the fashion house’s artistic director Olivier Rousteing on a makeup collection that will be unveiled at the Balmain Spring 2020 show during Paris Fashion Week. (Kylie is even serving as the official artistic director of makeup for the presentation.)

Kylie x Balmain will reveal several products on the runway. The super luminous High Gloss in cotton candy-colored Model Behavior gives lips that extra dose of shine with its multidimensional pearls. Then there’s the nine-pan KyShadow Palette featuring pressed powder shadows in both metallic and matte finishes, ranging from a marvelous matte warm lilac (Attitude) to a polished peach shade with fuchsia shimmer (Close the Show).

And it wouldn’t be a Kylie Cosmetics collection without its signature lip kit, this time made up of Paris Matte Liquid Lipstick and Paris Lip Liner in blushing pink and soft chocolate nude, respectively.

The packaging was inspired by Balmain’s Fall 2019 show’s cool pastel tones and Parisian street art prints. But you don’t have to worry about shelling out beaucoup bucks like on Balmain’s ready-to-wear creations. The price tags on the new cosmetics collab go from just $16 to $42. Or treat yourself to the whole collection for only $75.

Kylie x Balmain drops during Balmain’s Spring 2020 show on September 27 at 11:00 a.m. EST. So better add Kylie Cosmetics‘ site to your bookmarks now, if you haven’t already.

The post Kylie Jenner and Olivier Rousteing Are Dropping a New Makeup Collab During Balmain’s Spring 2020 Show appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Instagram recently made it more difficult for us shopaholics to refrain from, well, shopping with its new checkout feature, which lets you stock your closet without signing off your feed. Balmain is the latest brand to get on board as Olivier Rousteing just made it easier for his 5.4 million followers to purchase the fashion house’s wares.

“I wear a lot of pieces I design for Balmain, but that don’t necessarily make it to production, and every time I post a picture of myself wearing one of these pieces, I get tons of comments by people asking where they could buy what I was wearing. So I wanted to take away the frustration,” the designer explained to WWD.

Starting today, you can monitor his feed to get your hands on anything and everything Balmain. Prepare to max out your credit cards.

The post Olivier Rousteing Just Made It Easier to Join the Balmain Army appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Despite our complaints last season, Balmain’s creative director of several years, Olivier Rousteing, continues to serve as the brand’s campaign photographer (because what’s good for Karl Lagerfeld, right?). As we head into the new season, Rousteing ditches the established, big-name models in favor of Valery Kaufman, Tami Williams, Aleyna Fitzgerald, Kiko Arai, Katrin Zakharova and Roosmarijn de Kok. Photographed amongst the lavish and opulent surroundings of the Château de Baronville in France, the girls endeavor to make the shoot look like a whole lot of fun, playing to Rousteing’s camera in Balmain’s coveted new collection.

Our no-holds-barred forum members went all in the moment the campaign struck. “Tragic photos. Tragic cast,” slammed simon.

“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Olivier needs to leave the photography to the pros. The angles are so unflattering, it’s all one big blob of tackiness,” wrote GivenchyHomme.

“His photography skill are like his lips: ONE BIG MESS. It looks like he’s trying to be Karl,” pointed out GreyVetiver.

Also not loving the campaign was Benn98. “Well, admittedly I wasn’t expecting to be bowled over when I read the title. Glad it’s in color, and I like the energy and that it’s so glossy, but the photography is trite and the cast is so random. Maybe Olivier should develop his ‘style’ elsewhere and not on the campaigns of Balmain,” he stated.

“What an absolute mess,” said Nomar.

“Are they having financial problem that can’t afford a decent photographer?” asked Koibito.

Mikel wasn’t feeling the outcome either: “Everything looks so cheap and C-list. All the shots are too cluttered, without a good composition. This is all slowly turning into a D&G-type level of cheap and stale repetitiveness.”

Care to even see more? Check out the rest of the campaign and drop us a comment here.

The post Olivier Rousteing Is Back Shooting Balmain’s ‘Tacky’ Ad Campaign for Spring 2018 appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Olivier Rousteing is famous for his Balmain Army of top models that march down the runway and appear in his campaigns. Well, some new troops just signed up for the just-released L’Oréal x Balmain campaign and it’s pretty major — and inclusive.

We first got a peek at the epic lipstick partnership earlier this month via Instagram and now (with September fast approaching), we’re given a bold ad that features a pretty diverse cast. Lara Stone, Neelam Gill, Alexina Graham, Ysaunny Brito, Soo Joo Park and Doutzen Kroes make up just half of the 12 models led by Rousteing (natch). Everyone’s decked out in Balmain (again, natch) with the tagline “United, We are Invincible” blazed across the bottom, along with the 12 lipstick shades designed for every complexion. A fitting campaign for a collaboration described as “a message of beauty in diversity and female empowerment.”

Famed photographer Nico Bustos shot the campaign image, which provides a subtle glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the background. According to WWD, Brito, Park and Kroes are all wearing the star shades from each lipstick “tribe,” but we’re dying to know the shade each model is wearing.

TRIBE COUTURE Introducing the #TRIBECOUTURE from the #BALMAINxLOREAL lipsticks collection, launching in September. Red shade is DOMINATION, purple shade is LIBERATION, coral shade is CONFESSION & Rose Gold star shade is CONFIDENCE. Stay tuned for more. #UNITEDINVINCIBLE

A post shared by BALMAIN (@balmain) on Aug 7, 2017 at 5:20am PDT

[ via WWD ]

The post Olivier Rousteing Enlisted an Army of Diverse Models for the New Balmain x L’Oréal Paris Lipstick Ads appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Today, Beats by Dre — which counts Oscar de la Renta, Fendi, Alexander Wang and Hello Kitty among its former design partners — released a new, very fashiony set of headphones, this time with the help of Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing. “My connection with them began when they came to my show four years ago,” Rousteing told Vogue. “What they love about Balmain is that I embrace music. We’ve always had an idea of making something happen together.”

The collab features two special edition headphones. The first is a Balmain-ified version of Beats by Dre’s ubiquitous over-ear Studio Wireless headphones, the second is a luxe version of the gym-ready Powerbeats3 Wireless earphones. Each is available in “Safari” (the French fashion house’s signature tannish-gold) or “Khaki” (aka #BalmainArmy green); each comes in a suede case embossed with the Balmain logo.

Balmain Special Edition Beats Studio Wireless Headphones, $599.95 at Apple.com; Image: Balmain

For the accompanying Balmain x Beats by Dre campaign, Rousteing tapped hip hop lover and Balmain Army recruit Kylie Jenner. Why not a pop artist, you ask? “Beats is so connected to today’s younger generation and [Kylie] is a great symbol of that generation,” the designer told Refinery29. “She reflects their values and how they live today, with her honesty and her frank willingness to enjoy life. I am always struck by her genuineness — she expresses the values of today’s youth as well as any musician I could have chosen. Besides, she’s beautiful and incredibly professional — I knew she would do a great job representing a project that is so important to me.” (It seems Rousteing was hoping to cash in on the Kylie Jenner effect.)

Balmain Special Edition Powerbeats3 Wireless Headphones, $249.95 at Apple.com; Image: Balmain

The Balmain Special Edition Beats Studio Wireless ($599.95) and Powerbeats3 Wireless ($249.95) are now available to shop on Apple.com, Balmain.com and at Balmain’s New York and Los Angeles stores. If you’re anything like Rousteing, you’ll use them to jam out to Michael Jackson. (“They Don’t Care About Us” is his favorite song.)

Image: Balmain

[ via Vogue ]

The post Hip Hop Fan Kylie Jenner Models the Balmain x Beats by Dre Collab, Out Today appeared first on theFashionSpot.

Taking a leaf out of Karl Lagerfeld’s and Hedi Slimane’s books, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing tries his hand at photography for the brand’s Fall 2017 advertising campaign. Ditching experienced photographer Steven Klein, Olivier gets behind the lens to express his vision for Balmain’s latest collection in the dynamic campaign. Who better than fierce beauties Natasha Poly and Lara Stone to help bring Rousteing’s aesthetic to life? Captured around various Paris locations, the blonde duo is joined by a handful of male models for the stark black and white campaign images.

IMAGE: BALMAIN.COM

How did Olivier’s photographic debut go over in our forums? “Photographed by Olivier Rousteing? Didn’t think this brand could get any worse,” voiced disapproving forum member anlabe32 the second the campaign dropped.

“Karl doesn’t need to lose any sleep! His photography is as vulgar as his clothes, don’t get it. At least Klein knows his angles and blocking, Olivier’s photography looks like some amateur digital photography you see on random Tumblr pages. What’s the ‘story’ here, if there even was one,” critiqued Benn98.

Not everyone was so quick to dismiss the campaign. “Lara? Natasha? Count me in! I had to look twice at the title because I would have bet that this was shot by Steven Klein! Not bad, not bad,” admitted a pleasantly surprised Valentine27.

Maxlinden shared the same sentiments: “I want to be a hater but I can’t – they look fierce! This isn’t really innovative but all the models look sexy and enticing. The clothes look luxurious and slightly chic.”

“Surprisingly good! The girls look great together, Natasha and Lara always work well together and Olivier is a better photographer than Lagerfeld, Slimane and Domenico Dolce,” wrote zacatecas570.

“I LOVE this. It’s over the top and maybe a bit tacky, but give me this over all the boring campaigns with 16-year-old girls. Natasha and Lara both slay this campaign and I’m totally here for Jon’s ass,” said [Piece Of Me].

TaylorBinque couldn’t have agreed more. “Over the top and tacky and trashy. Just a level of hot mess that I love. I mean, it’s refreshing somehow seeing top models doing actual campaigns. Natasha and Lara totally own this,” he applauded.

IMAGE: BALMAIN.COM

Check out the rest of the campaign and add your own two cents here.

The post Olivier Rousteing Takes a Turn Behind the Camera, Shooting Balmain’s Fall 2017 Campaign appeared first on theFashionSpot.

The designer known for dressing an army of It girls in super-tight, super-constructed, super-embellished looks just gave British Vogue a sneak peek at his first-ever stage costumes for the Paris Opéra and — surprise, surprise — elaborate beading, crystals and threadwork reign supreme. “I wanted as much glamour as possible,” Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing told the glossy. “It’s what I love.”

In choreographer Sébastien Bertaud’s new ballet, Renaissance, 22 male and female dancers will sport skin-colored Balmain blazers teeming with pearls, beading and sequins, along with crystal-encrusted tights and leotards. The costumes harken back to Rousteing’s Fall 2012 collection — during his second runway season at Balmain, d’aww — and its ornate, Fabergé egg-inspired embroidery.

If you’re wondering how dancers leap through the air whilst weighed down by hundreds of pearls, the answer is: not easily. Rousteing, who’s used to dressing pop artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna for Earth-bound performances and wanted the costumes to be as opulent as his runway looks, was forced to forgo some of his usual flair. Still, Bertaud’s dancers will have their work cut out for them. “I want to preserve Olivier’s artistic intention, so I’m going to train all my dancers in order to make it possible,” the choreographer told British Vogue.

Rousteing joins a long list of designers who’ve designed for the ballet: Joseph Altuzarra and Riccardo Tisci for New York City Ballet, Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Black Swan and Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Pierre Balmain for the Paris Opéra.

Renaissance runs June 13 to 18. Scroll down for a preview of the intensely pretty costumes.

INSIDE OPÉRA DE PARIS The collaboration between @Olivier_Rousteing and @Sebastien_Bertaud for the ballet RENAISSANCE will come to life on the @Operadeparis’ stage from June 13th to June 18th. @lucbraquet_ for @voguemagazine #BALMAINARMY #BALMAINxOPERADEPARIS #SEBASTIENBERTAUD #RENAISSANCE #OPERADEPARIS

A post shared by BALMAIN (@balmain) on Jun 7, 2017 at 5:18am PDT

INSIDE OPÉRA DE PARIS “This wonderful company is, in a way, like a classical army. It’s all about this new generation, new energy.” @sebastien_bertaud Read the full interview on @britishvogue @lucbraquet_ #BALMAINARMY #BALMAINxOPERADEPARIS #SEBASTIENBERTAUD #RENAISSANCE #OPERADEPARIS

A post shared by BALMAIN (@balmain) on Jun 7, 2017 at 5:29am PDT

Full report for @voguemagazine about @balmain x @operadeparis #LaRenaissance #CoutureMeetsBallet – @olivier_rousteing @sebastien_bertaud @balletoperadeparis @hattiecrisell #LucBraquet

A post shared by LUC BRAQUET (@lucbraquet_) on Jun 7, 2017 at 1:50am PDT

[ via Vogue UK ]

The post Here’s a First Look at the Balmain Ballet Costumes appeared first on theFashionSpot.

If the Met Gala is equivalent to the Oscars in the fashion world, then the Cannes International Film Festival would be like the Golden Globes. Or all of Haute Couture Fashion Week set against the backdrop of the French Riviera. Whatever way you frame it, there’s no denying that the festival produces a cavalcade of luxe gowns from some of the biggest fashion houses around. We’re talking Chanel, Elie Saab, Christian Dior, Versace, Armani…you get the idea. But this year, two of the biggest wow moments came courtesy of two relative unknowns — Michael Cinco and Michael Halpern.

Trains were popular and grand with celebs going to great lengths to make a statement (and causing extra work for those underappreciated dress fluffers). The see-through trend was still going strong, though thankfully, most pieces did a good job camouflaging attendees’ private parts. We saw a few jumpsuits/pantsuits this go-round, mostly pulled off with great aplomb. A couple of wedding dresses found their way to the festival, which surprisingly translated pretty well to the red carpet. For all the top fashion highlights from the past week, check out the jam-packed slideshow above.

[ Next: All Your Favorite Models Walked the Fashion for Relief Show in Cannes ]

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