the independent spirit award











I didn't care for some of the vaguely Dynasty-ish dresses at the Balenciaga fall show, but I was captivated by pretty much everything else. Nicolas Ghesquiere managed to refine the shapes seen in his spring into something more wearable without losing the unique cuts and shapes and fabrics that makes his clothes so compelling.

I'm amazed by how Mr Ghesquiere has managed to take inspiration from the couture methods of the late Cristobal Balenciaga and made it relevant and modern and completely original. His own vision and the house's traditions have meshed together seamlessly in unobstrusive way to make simple and yet complex clothes I want to wear and study.

I love Mr Ghesquiere's work for Balenciaga because even his past designs look perfectly undated (to me) and classic even, but they're anything but the usual definition of classics (in contrast, see John Galliano's "classics from the early 60s" for Christian Dior).

Pictures from www.style.com

**Edit: Just got down to reading Cathy Horyn on NYT, and she says it so well - http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/the-balenciaga-line/index.html?ref=shows

Comments

Jennifer said…
i have just not been feeling anything for the balenciaga collections under ghesquiere.
Elizabeth said…
For once, we don't agree ^^ I love it, though I can't imagine it in my closet.
yanqin said…
I love disagreements :) I love it, because I'm also somewhat sold on his concept, I admit. I miss his early work - before he started referencing Balenciaga, he claims he never looked at the house archives until a few years ago - which was very street. But I love the present work because of the proportions and construction, which brilliantly references Balenciaga without being nostalgic.

(I'm also very sold on the bags, except for the terrible ones with those oversized studs. I've always wondered if Mr Ghesquiere has a hand in those.)

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