Balmain x H&M 2015 Fall/Winter Runway Show
One of the year’s most celebrated collections made its runway debut with an onslaught of powerful names.
One of H&M‘s most celebrated collaborations made its highly-anticipated runway debut in an outstanding performance that included a surprise show from the Backstreet Boys. The show transformed a subway terminal into a star-studded runway supported by dancers who traipsed up and down the stage — a rather appropriate decision from Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, who was a dancer before taking the design route as an 18-year-old intern at Roberto Cavalli then assistant to Balmain‘s previous Creative Director Christophe Decarnin in 2009. “What is Balmain is what is me,” stated Rousteing at a press conference. The young designer has carefully translated Balmain’s bold silhouettes into H&M’s quality and price point while managing to keep it both consistent and refreshing. The sparkle, glitz and glamour of the show is also partly owed to the onslaught of powerful names like Alessandra Ambrosio, Kendall Jenner, Joan Smalls, Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn, and sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid.
Sharp and sophisticated designs like structured military-inspired silhouettes, ribbed leather motorcycle jackets and double-breasted blazers are prevalent in the collection. Gem-encrusted garments with boxed shoulders, cinched waists and shiny gold buttons hold rich jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue and ruby red. The collection is a celebration of embellished details — a hallmark of the Parisian luxury brand.
View the Balmain x H&M collection’s official lookbook and pricing list, and head to Vogue to see the womenswear runway looks. The collection hits H&M stores worldwide November 5.
