Image Courtesy: Umberto Fratini / Gorunway.com
On a rainy evening in Paris, the French fashion house Balmain showcased stunning aesthetics and wonderfully articulate craftsmanship.
Notorious for dramatic silhouettes and rich embellishments, Balmain presented nothing less in their spring/summer 2025 collection, putting on yet another simply breathtaking show.
Intricately sequined, trompe-l'œil art-style bold-glamor faces decorated the initial designs, honing in on feminine features such as large nose and lip silhouettes, delicate fingers, and hypnotizing eyes. Some designs appeared to resemble the sequined faces of celebrities like Kylie Jenner, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Following a showcase of divine femininity, an array of business-not-so-casual looks consumed the room. The palette quickly morphed from glittering to black and intimidating yet sleek designs displaying broad, pointy shoulders, fold-over boots, chunky gold jewelry, and oversized tote bags. Layers and leather were a notable aspect, which began to create a CEO-meets-punk-rock-star style, with a prominent use of wide-shoulder blazers and the adored 2000s style skirt and pants combo.
As the luxurious, rockstar office-siren attire marches off, glittering designs in black and bold reds dance into view, many highlighting broad shoulders, wide hips, and a cinched waist, presenting an almost geometrical hourglass shape. The attention to detail Balmain exhibits is absolutely awe-inspiring, as seen in their complex beadwork and embroidery.
Following bold blacks and reds, delicate, silky, mauve designs make an appearance. Two pieces were particularly striking, a top and a dress, exhibiting an artistic and beautiful encapsulation of the female body. These designs seem texturally similar to Tyla’s Balmain sand dress worn for the 2024 Met Gala.
Mauve shades are quickly married with bright reds, still coherent with the gold accent theme. Plunging necklines are another notable aspect of many of these looks, some paired with a chunky gold belt to further the waist-cinching pattern. Bold hot pinks appear as well.
Other notable pieces include a sculpted face contour on a textured pale pink pencil skirt and a similarly textured hot pink strapless dress.
Balmain’s creative director of 13 years, Olivier Rousteing, continues to impress with his uniquely complex and masterful work.
Strike Out,
Morgan Harms
Boca Raton
Morgan Harms is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She is a Pisces mermaid with a love for the ocean. She spends her free time daydreaming, wave-watching, and blasting whatever music she’s into that day. You can reach her by email at morganjharms@gmail.com or on Instagram @morganjharms and @morganjharmswrites.
