DUBAI: French Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair is making waves at Paris Fashion Week, beginning with her appearance for Ganni and continuing with a striking presence at Balmain. She showcased a structured gray blazer over a classic black T-shirt, complemented by vibrant red suede over-the-knee boots that added a bold pop of color. Her ensemble was completed with a neutral-toned shoulder bag and a striking gold pendant necklace.
Olivier Rousteing, the fashion designer and creative director of Balmain since 2011, delivered a collection that unapologetically fused boldness with a dose of camp. Prints of half-painted women’s faces guided the eye down floor-length gowns, while disembodied eyes, lips, noses and nails formed the visual leitmotifs of the evening. At its core, this collection’s identity hinged on the sculptural, almost scaffolded, shoulders — a signature of Balmain’s power dressing reimagined yet again.
The effect extended to the hips in gold-striped chain mini-dresses, evoking an exaggerated 1980s glamor. There were moments of pure fun and theatricality, such as a cream skirt with a 3D face peering out, a delightful nod to Rousteing’s penchant for surrealist humor. This playful audacity keeps the Balmain faithful coming back, even when some pieces falter under the weight of their own excess.
In many ways, this collection echoed themes in his archive: an obsession with exaggerated silhouettes, a love for sculptural shoulders, and a desire to embed his personal na.
