The BALMAIN Paris Fall 2023 Campaign Is Sublime Black Beauty on Steroids
/
The BALMAIN Paris Fall 2023 Campaign Is Sublime Black Beauty on Steroids AOC Fashion
Balmain’s [IG] Fall/Winter 2023 campaign borders on momentous. All five models are women of color — for a global luxury brand selling to all women. The five models Akuol Deng Atem, Anyier Anei, Naomi Apajok, Nyaduola Gabriel and Nyakong Chan are all women from war-torn South Sudan.
The creative fusion of Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing [IG] and star photographer Rafael Pavarotti [IG] is sublime. Apparently this is their first outing together.
At a time when the demand for expert tailoring and couture craftsmanship is a key demand of the luxury customer buying clothes, not entry-level accessories or fragrance, Rafael creates a visual campaign that is undiluted, couture-inspired, retro-modern sophistication to the max.
We really see the clothes and not celebrities on a party bus. And the clothes are fabulous! And I had nothing against the party bus either. We simply have a truly-elevated fashion vision facing us in this campaign for many reasons.
If I were a fashion prof, this campaign would be in my classroom for a lot of discussion.
Multiple people have commented on the visual, intellectual and downright spiritual synergy between Rousteing and Pavarotti, and Anne agrees. ‘Spiritual’ synchronocity is me alone, but several people I respect are wowed here by the collaboration of the two mega talents.
My instincts tell me that Rousteing sees Balmain with fresh eyes after the revitalization of Schiaparelli.
Just look at the IG images of these Black Beauty models working with artistic director Michail Pelet. These are old-school images in a modern era where many models are clueless about posing.
Please understand my point. I’m not comparing the design results. Rather, I believe that in considering Schiaparelli under artistic director Daniel Roseberry, Rousteing looked again at the 70-years of Balmain archives with fresh eyes.
Given the importance of couture-inspired elegance to the high-end luxury customer, the results are top-drawer wonderful in every aspect.
Rounding out the core cast here, we have styling by Katie Lyall. Hair is by Eugene Souleiman and makeup by Chiao Li Hsu.
