Olivier Rousteing’s latest collection for Balmain marks a homecoming for the creative designer. As he sat down to sketch, he found himself inserting more and more of his personal history with each design. “After several collections riffing on the beauty of my present home, Paris, and a series of presentations channeling the extraordinary spirit, craft and patterns of the Africa of my birth parents, today I’m returning to Bordeaux, the city that formed me,” Rousteing explained in the show’s notes.
The collection’s thematic thread intertwines Balmain’s heritage with the aesthetics of Bordeaux, creating a fusion of historical couture and contemporary sensibilities. By incorporating elements like grapes and escargot shells, Rousteing adds nostalgia and a sense of place to each design. Overall, the collection serves as a celebration of heritage, creativity, and craftsmanship, paying homage to the beauty of Balmain tradition reimagined for the modern world.
Here, CR explores the key themes and takeaways to know from Balmain’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection.
