Sneak Peek

This is the final installation of the Balmain Fall Winter 2014 menswear showroom sneak peek review, as the collection sets out to be delivered by this month towards the end of September. Despite it’s initial flamboyant approach of the “Glamazon Boys” thematic inspired from Peter Hill Beard’s East African memories, the current fall winter is not as bad as one could imagine, much like the antecedent Balmain Spring Summer 2014 naval edition which lacks acceptance support during the beginning but was later received in success. Speaking of Balmain Spring Summer 2014, SSENSE has just made the final mark down and most of the items has gone 70%! I just picked up a pair of the Balmain Navy Quilted Leather High-Top Sneakers, it was literally a steal.

It is often difficult to evaluate from the earlier Paris Fashion Week Balmain presentation, such as the latest Balmain Spring Summer 2015 sportswear inspired concept as most significant pieces relevant towards common consumer interest are often unrevealed until the pre-order cycle. In the Balmain Fall Winter 2014 menswear, Olivier Rousteing utilises the same approach with little disclosure, this collection is rather promising as the main highlight of this season offers an abundance of style ranging from the upmost elaborate pieces beaded pieces towards the most masculinity creations. In this case, the new Balmain Camouflage Zipped Hooded Biker Jacket was based from the Spring Summer 2012 leather jacket (now available in olive green) has seen dramatic changes for Fall Winter 2014. There is a lot to love here, classic camouflage print dressed with additional multi-utility pockets, shimmery zipper detailing in modern asymmetrical construction and hidden hooded feature convey the multiple aspects of military wear infused with Parisian street-style elegance, it is the perfect collection piece that characterise an imaginative collaboration between Rousteing and Decarnin.

Other significant pieces that will draw huge interest includes a matching Balmain Camouflage Print Biker Denim Jeans that is currently pending in availability and the recent added Balmain Pony Leopard Calf Hair Leather High-Top Sneakers selling out fast in Luisa Via Roma also now available at Farfetch since the beginning of June this month. Besides the above value added collection pieces, there is the pretentious Balmain Logo-Print Cotton T-Shirt which seems to derive from the replica world would offer a great edition towards those who are a little more pretentious, not to forget the super-enlarged gold embroidered Balmain crest detailing on a classic Balmain Black Zipped Hooded Jacket makes us wonder what was the creative designer thinking.

BALMAIN CAMOUFLAGE ZIPPED HOODED BIKER JACKET

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

Luisa Via Roma $2,355 – BUY IT NOW

BALMAIN EMBROIDERED-PATCH QUILTED BIKER PUFFER-DOWN JACKET

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

Farfetch $1,963 – BUY IT NOW (SHOP SIMILAR)

BALMAIN BLACK DOUBLE-ZIPPER HOODED BIKER JACKET

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

Luisa Via Roma $1,585 – BUY IT NOW

BALMAIN EMBROIDERED-LOGO CREST ZIPPED HOODED JACKET

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

BALMAIN WHITE LOGO-PRINT COTTON T-SHIRT

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

Farfetch $275 – BUY IT NOW (SHOP SIMILAR)

BALMAIN BLACK LOGO-PRINT COTTON T-SHIRT

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

BALMAIN CAMOUFLAGE PRINT BIKER COTTON DENIM JEANS

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

BALMAIN LEOPARD PONY CALF-HAIR LEATHER HIGH-TOP SNEAKER

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

Farfetch $1,184 – BUY IT NOW

Luisa Via Roma $1,625 – BUY IT NOW

BALMAIN LEOPARD PONY CALF-HAIR LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

BALMAIN DARK LEOPARD PONY CALF-HAIR LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2014 Collection

I know it can be strange to say that new Balmain Homme 2014 collection has improved over the past seasons. You may find ways to dislike and even argue about the collection because it doesn’t has the essence that it once used to offer during Christophe Decarnin’s era — remember the ‘limited styles’ distressed biker denims, waxed bikers, wool pea coats with chunky military buttons, a modern crop blazer finish with a pair of military boots, we missed it for sure. But judging by the current year collection there are many potential pieces to be enjoyed in a traditional way, just made prettier to feed into a seasonal story that may not be accepted for those who once knew Balmain as a timeless high-end luxury fashion house.