With one glimpse of the first heavily worked dress and stale streetwear styling, there was an sad consciousness that maybe the magic had been lost. After two seasons of creative vividness at the house of Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquiere seemed to drop the ball – or maybe forgot it in outer space – with his fall/winter 2007/2008 collection.
If anything, Balenciaga’s recent successes can be attributed to the singularity of Ghesquiere’s vision. It was focused, unapologetic, tenaciously progressive, and, most importantly, the definition of sucess was clear. It may have required an expert to translate, but we knew what proper execution looked it. This time around, Ghesquiere attempted to be everything without really saying anything at all. There were hints of equestrian (the jodhpurs), Mongolia (the patchwork), Etro (the colour clashing); and English schooling (the medallion blazers), but it largely failed to amount to anything remotely cohesive or inspiring. Most interesting was FWD’s Godfrey Deeny’s assertion that this collection would become the hipster’s uniform next fall, considering both that this collection lacked a sense sophistication like that age set and, more importantly, that hipsters themselves have move beyond the heavily-layered-keffiyah-scarf-look. As a single unit, the collection not only discredited the trickle down theory of fashion, but suggested that the antithesis propelled at snail-like speed.
The sportif looking pieces, like the striped cigarette pants, as well as the exaggerated hourglass series at the end, exhibited the craftsmanship and forward eye we’ve come to expect. Some of the fringed patchwork dresses will even make for some beautiful editorials. Unfortunately, similar contentions could not be made for the remainder of the collection. Ghesquiere may have succeeded in making items difficult to replicate, but in doing so, he may have inadvertently stabbed himself in his own foot.
Credit Photos: Catwalking
at first glance I feel like I’m looking at something off of facehunter. . . streetwear styling indeed!
booooo to this
I agree with the bad review. Such a shame, I love Balenciaga…