From the looks of things, Olivier Rousteing knows exactly what Balmain is made of.
by Hannah Weil
From the looks of things, Olivier Rousteing knows exactly what Balmain is made of. For Spring 2012, the designer showed us what might happen if a Spanish dancer went west — a mix of long, duster-like leather skirts and denim button-ups paired with the label's signature embellishments on body-conscious minidresses, skirts, and slim pants and jackets. Gold embroidery and fringe on white pants, skirts, and boleros all hinted at beautifully ornate Spanish detailing; while leather pants, denim shirts and skirts, and laser-cut leather brought us back to the Old West. At the core, it's still what Balmain does best — standout, rich metallics, and beading on the slickest and sexiest silhouettes.
- Trends: leather, boleros, embellishment, fringe, embroidery, and high-waisted pants.
- Colors: black, white, gold, some florals and denim.
- Key Piece: the black embellished suit; the gold and white embellished mini and denim shirt.
- Accessories: embellished suede and cutout leather booties, gold cuffs, chain bracelets and belts, oversize gold belt buckles.
- Who Would Wear It: Cool-girl types with an eye for glam-rocker pieces; Zoe Saldana and Anna Dello Russo would rock the embellished minidresses.
