Balenciaga Fall 2014.

Alexander Wang is in his third season at the design helm of Balenciaga, but with the vast history of the French fashion house, he is still digging in its past for inspiration. His main goal for Fall 2014 was to add knits to the brand’s repertoire: something he saw very little of in the archives. That ilk of styles were the designs that kicked off his namesake line after all, thus the pieces he presented here were formidable and functional.
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These knits were far from commonplace sweaters, as you might have imagined. The designs were a study in mélange: adding leather and latex to an otherwise traditional cable knit and riffing on classic pullovers with strips of fur. Despite their high-fashion mix, the pieces were grounded in function when paired with high-waist trousers, leather platform booties, and simple totes. The ensembles had a pared-down and easy silhouette, with a drop of that quintessential Wang edge with structured tops.

 
There was absolutely no doubt that Wang was influenced by his predecessor, Nicolas Ghesquière and can you blame him? The designer left an indelible mark on the French fashion house with the strength he injected into his collections. The vaguely futuristic vibe, rounded shoulders, and edgy detailing by way of zippers all harked back to his trademarks, though originally pulled from the brand’s focus on expert tailoring and craftsmanship. Both Wang and Ghesquiére have a flair for the street, thus the former’s nod to seasons past definitely worked in his favor.

 
The outerwear selection was thrilling with oversized zipper detailing echoing Wang’s signature sporty predilections. Some had beaver fur panels and knitted kangaroo pockets for added doses of warmth, while others mimicked the aforementioned cable textures. Dresses were just as methodically crafted, with a focus on construction.

 
While most designers showed showstopping gowns for their eveningwear segment, Wang opted for something a bit different: truly living up to his position as one of the industry’s most cutting-edge. He gave a cool twist to the classic sweater, adorning the style in extravagant coatings of pearls. When juxtaposed against the looks’ pants, the ensembles infused a sense of whimsy into the season that was refreshing. Surely the brand’s fans including Zoe Kravitz, Kim Kardashian, and Rita Ora will take to these designs in the coming months.

 
Thoughts on Wang’s Fall collection for Balenciaga?