RUNWAY: Balmain SS15

Olivier Rousteing has shed the ideals of his predecessor and has created striking collections since ascending to the directorship at Balmain. The most notable pieces were the intricately sewn jackets with Navajo inspired beading, showcasing the craftmanship behind the label. These jackets were clearly not made for the reserved man but Balmain is all about standing out, after all. There were more (relatively) subtle pieces including a handful of color blocked leather jackets that are sure to be the envy of many. A padded knit with drawstrings looked exceptional when paired with leather pants and the foot du jour: open toed boots that resembled shoes a boxer might prefer. We've seen plenty of sweatpants this season, to complement all the sport and activewear inspiration, but Rousteing's version are quite striking for their duality (day or night wear). The collection was bold, maybe too bold for some, but it's exactly what we expect.