f/w 08.09 paris: balenciaga.

there has been alot of stripped down pieces shown for fall, and nicolas ghesquiere is another designer doing some of that. at balenciaga, he presented a collection that was at once minimal, but also modern. and he looked back on his time at the fabled house while also moving forward. there was also a great mix of hard and soft, like metal heeled stilettos and chiffon high boots, or black sooty eyes paired with diamond and pearl branch bracelets.

the first section features some great LBDs and patent leather cocoon coats (a new take on fall 03 and fall 06), jackets, and wrap front skirts, then moved into silk moiré and wool tweed jackets worn over vests and scuba pants. there were dresses that mimiced the fabrics from spring, but done in more wearable shifts, and draped velvet tops (reminiscent of spring 03) paired with ankle length birdseye tweed pants. the last section included printed and embroidered dresses, almost armor-like. what a way to begin paris!

pics from style.it and catwalking