Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2017

Demna Gvasalia veered toward elegance this season at Balenciaga. The coats that buttoned in an asymmetrical fashion at the shoulder looked like chic capes. When worn undone, they gave the effect of draping at one side. The uptown ladies will prefer the astrakhan and leopard versions, while downtown’s loyal Gvasalia followers will be all over the more exaggerated and purposefully awkward check print versions. And the evening wear was nothing short of spectacular. A black strapless ’80s dress with a giant bow in front worn on Alek Wek and paired with the brands’ now signature boot tights in neon green was a showstopper. Ditto the elaborate ostrich feather dress with black flecks. But if those are not dramatic enough, the tiered skirts as dresses, like a fuchsia number, should seriously pump up the volume (side shots of the models at the end of the slideshow for perspective). Gvasalia still couldn’t resist giving flipping the ordinary into a fashion moment, like turning car mats into skirts. Just another reminder that Gvasalia is working at full speed to turn fashion on its head.