Balmain’s SS24 Show Illuminates Paris Fashion Week
Oliver Rousteing’s Triumph Over Adversity and Celebration of Love and Beauty
By Josie Nejame
You knew it was going to be an incredible show when Mother Nature herself was involved. The Fall Equinox had begun on a brisk autumn Parisian evening, the full moon in Aires illuminating the night sky preparing for passions and intentions. This was a breathtaking prelude to the brilliant Oliver Rousteing’s Balmain’s SS24 show, held during Paris Fashion Week. The runway was staged at the magnificent Palais de Chaillot, the backdrop being the famed Eiffel Tower which glistened through the windows for all to see.
Vibrant colors, bejeweled florals made from recycled plastic bottles, patent leather and latex walked through the runway. The show was in part a nod to founder Pierre Balmain’s 1940s/50s archive with his love of florals and of course Oliver’s modern interpretation of the fierce and feminine Balmain woman. Models walked across in romantic rose prints with fluid tailoring and full femininity on display. Staying true to Balmain’s couture roots and fine craftmanship there were blazers and dresses adorned with bejeweled swallows, a sign of good luck, structured powered suits, exaggerated shoulders, cinched waists, and elongated white lapels. Polka-dot prints on shirts, skirts and dresses were reimagined. The strategically placed silky rosettes were a conflation of a sixteenth century ideal which warded off bad luck with a modern century absolute of “love is in the air”. Caped toed square pumps, heels covered in petals, bold looking sunglasses and bouquet inspired handbags accompanied the upcoming Spring and Summer looks in exquisite detail.
In his show notes, Rousteing reflected, “Love is complex-every rose, after all, comes with its thorns.” Illustrative of this observation, two weeks before he presented his SS24 show, 50 pieces of his SS24 collection were stolen. With his extraordinary, gifted atelier endlessly working to re-create some of the stolen pieces, the show came out with roses, figuratively and literally. Rousteing proudly and joyfully recognized his incredible team for helping to make the show the celebration of love and beauty that he envisioned, despite the challenges his team had to work with.
Rousteing has risen against adversity throughout his personal and professional life. Once again, he overcame the difficulties presented and again showed himself to be the young master he is. He became creative director of Balmain in 2011, at 25. Oliver was the youngest creative director in Paris since Yves Saint Laurent for Christian Dior, but also one of the first Black designers to helm a luxury fashion house.
Oliver Rousteing’s been honored at Parson’s School of design for his monumental achievement as Balmain’s creative director and diversity champion and by France’s Competences with the award for inclusivity in his work.
To set a style consultation for Balmain’s collection, please contact: michelle.perales@fourseasons.com
As you shop Balmain’s newest arrivals and iconic styles at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando’s Wardrobe boutique, a portion of all sales from November 1-5 will be donated to Runway to Hope, a Central Florida charity that provides direct support to children and families that have been affected by pediatric cancer. To learn more about how you can support Runway to Hope please visit www.runwaytohope.org.
