Pseudo Archaic

Balenciaga Spring 2011 collection was showcased in style by the renowned fashion brand. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the show was its line up of models that included some of the most well known faces that have been walking down the fashion ramps as well as a couple of new finds. In fact, the show opened with three new models who have no prior experience whatsoever in the industry. These three girls were spotted from among the crowds moving on the street by the Balenciaga 2011 team.

This move has evoked mixed reaction from the who’s who of fashion industry, some of whom called it adventurous while others labeled it as risky. It would be safe to say that the fashion brand spent as much time deciding the model line up for its collection as designing the clothes itself. Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere’s chose to go for such a mixed model troupe in a deliberate attempt to break the clone-model thing that has been dominating the ramps across fashion capitals for quite some time now. In a bid to make his creations draw more attention than the models wearing them, the designer made the models parade bare-faced down the ramp.

As the show progressed, Brazilian super model Gisele Bündchen walked the ramp in a stunning Balenciaga 2011 piece sending the shutter bugs into a tizzy. Some other renowned models who strut their stuff in Bündchen Spring 2011 pieces were Carolyn Murphy, Stella Tennant, Freja Beha and Erichsen. The icing on the cake was seeing the five month pregnant Miranda Kerr walk down the ramp in a beautiful outfit designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere’s. The main inspiration behind the line was bringing out the man in every woman, as per the designer’s quote.

All the garments of Balenciaga spring 2011 collection are wearable – an element that is found sorely missing in the designer’s earlier collections. The pieces may look a little out of place when not on ramp, but these can easily be adapted to suit the fashion sensibility of a modern woman. The cocooning shape of pied de coq coats drew attention from everyone at the showing. The color palate for the garments ranged from bright red and electric blue to muted brown.

Ankle cut pants, asymmetrical contour hugging dresses and sheer shirts worn over mini tops are some great looks that a fashionista can imbibe from the Bündchen 2011 collection. The pumps were pretty too, though not that great.