Balmain SS17: Paris Fashion Week Runway Show, Photos And Video

After watching the Balmain SS17 runway show, fashion critics remarked upon what they saw as a pivot by the designer, Olivier Rousteing, away from his signature body conscious looks, embellished with intricate embroidery.
Vogue felt that the looks were as revealing as ever, but just in a different way. "There were cut-outs on bodices that revealed a good bit of underboob, fashion's new erogenous zone. Slits extended way up the front of both thighs. And provocatively placed sheer bits drew the eyes to the hips and derrière". reported Nicole Phelps. "For evening, he proposed long split-seam dresses pavéd with multicolor crystals in Art Deco motifs and slinky chain mail dresses à la Versace".

The designer concurred: “The Balmain Army has shed its armor," said Rousteing. “Whatever I do, even if I cover up my girls, people can say it's vulgar. But this is what it is. I think it's really chic, really French. It's Paris how I see it.”

The color palette was a glorious mix of desert tones, purples, reds, greens, blues, olives and mixtures of bright hues.

Click through the slideshow for images from the Balmain SS17 runway show and click here to watch the video.