Balenciaga AW14

Initial reaction:

More Wang, less Cristóbal. It really felt like this season Alexander Wang was coming into his own. His distinctive rounded shoulders, that re-shape the body into organically futuristic silhouettes, were merged with key codes of the Balenciaga house. Like in the hybrid pieces of puffa jackets with silk capes, and fur bibs worn over sweaters.

Atmosphere:

A metallic and clinical show space, that felt jarring so early in the morning (the show started at 9.15am), especially once the trance music soundtrack kicked in…

Gisele:

Well that woke us up: Gisele Bündchen closing the show in a draped black silk top with grey sweater sleeves, and a frosting of crystals falling over her shoulders.

How they wore it:

Opening pieces were bound by leather belts, silver ‘Balenciaga’ buckle plates quite literally stamping out the brand, and Wang’s defiant take on it. Fur totes and leather boxy shopper bags were held three or four at a time, by hands in graphic, bright alligator skin gloves – a subliminal message to go shopping, perhaps?

Stand out looks:

Sculptural leather dresses punched through with wool felt so that it appeared to bleed and spread over the body. And Mariecarla in a frosted, spiked crystal shoulder cape like that worn by Gisele.

Models: Vanessa Moody (@vemoody), Ana Buljevic (@anabuljevic), Natalie Eydelman, Bruno Tenorio (@brutenorio_real), Fei Fei Sun (@FeiFeiSunSun), Charlotte Kohler,  Ashleigh Good (@ashinstagood), Hanne Gaby Odiele (@hannegabysays), Mariana Santana (@mariaanasantana), Imaan Hammam (@imaanhammam), Caroline Brasch Nielsen (@caroline_brasch), Irina Kravchenko (@iriska_kravchenko), Elizabeth Erm, Kati Nescher (@KatiNescher1), Daria Strokous (@DariaStrokous), Joan Smalls (@Joansmalls), Vanessa Axente (@VanessaAxente), Julia Nobis, Hedvig Palm (@hedvigpa), Anna Ewers (@AnNaEwers), Mariacarla Boscono (@iosonomariacarlaboscono), Charlene Hoegger, Caroline Trentini (@trentinireal), Gisele Bundchen (@giseleofficial).