Sub-Saharan Chic: Balmain FW20 Men’s
According to Loic Prigent, this collection was inspired by Olivier Rousteing’s journey to find his origins. The documentary Wonder Boy tells how Olivier discovered his Somali and Ethiopian heritage after learning he was adopted at the age of 11.
From sandy neutrals to hot pink and sunny yellow; signature Balmain embellishments to stark, solid black – there is something for everyone in this collection. The plethora of silhouettes and pieces means there’s a look for every occasion.
Around the 6-minute mark is where I lost it a bit. It was when I was flung into my triumph anthem, “Swan Song” that I knew there was something special about this moment. The production and sound engineering (or whatever, I don’t know music terms) of that song stirs me every-single-time! When gyms were still a thing, I’d put it on repeat and destroy the treadmill! Anyway, I digress…
I’m a fool for strong and outspoken outerwear! Coats, jackets and sweaters are the sole reason that I love and look forward to the cooler seasons. The printed ones are great, but the solids and brightly colored trenches are spectacular, especially the military-style camel coat!
The accessories…I need all the bags! Just give them to me! I need the black sneakers! I love the luxe-yet-casual style of all the looks, and these pieces solidify that tone for me. I’ve reached a point in my style journey where I’m not interested in wearing “dress” shoes anymore – why not pair a sneaker with a draped suit?
The final 4 looks are giving me “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” vibes, but in a good way. If that’s what the end of the world looks like, I’m here for it! The models look amazing as did the pieces. Really, is there any color that doesn’t look good on Black skin?? Plus, I live for all-black outfits when done right, and these are right!
TBH: Before seeing these two shows, I wasn’t terribly familiar with Balmain. I’d heard of it, of course, but never paid much mind. When I thought of Balmain I thought uber embellished, flashy garments that didn’t quite speak to me. Now, however, Rousteing has made me a Balmain fan!
Photo credit: balmain.com
