back to the future

"Classics with a twist!" Retro futurism! In fashion, all those cliches have been done time and again, but I think that Nicolas Ghesquiere's collection for Balenciaga was the only one as of recent to elevate these concepts to a level that was more refined and thoughtful. "Retro futurism" didn't mean the Jetsons, and "classics" didn't mean camel coats or button-downs. They were elements of home-living and domesticity that were brought into the present with what has now become Nicolas LongName's signature futurism aesthetic. He said his goal was "to ennoble every day objects." Mission accomplished. Ew, that makes me think of Tom Cruise, which makes me think of him jumping on Oprah's couch. And we don't like to talk about that here. So instead I will say, "A+"! But that makes me think of school, and it is the weekend, so we don't like to talk about that here, either. Gosh, is there a reason that there isn't a way to say "GOOD JOB" without being reminded of something terribly disturbing? Well...I guess I could always just say "good job." So, um, good job, Nicky G!
(Why do I think this much about these things?)
ANYWAY. Futuristic classics! Right!
Untitled 3
On the far left and far right, updated versions of quilting. The texture on the nude dress reminded me of doilies or lace napkins, and a simple wool sweater was brought into the future with bright green, sort of geometric threading (which really makes me think of that one lily pad game from Zoombinis. In a good way!)

Untitled 2
The shoes (which were totally killer) were the greatest indication of this - oxfords or loafers or a wood-looking material elevated with geometric shapes and of what looked like minerals (and whose patterns and colors reminded me a lot of Snood. WHY IS THIS COLLECTION THE SUMMARY OF OUR FAMILY COMPUTER'S ACTIVITY FROM THE YEARS 2002-2005?)

The closing looks were WORDS. Lots of em. Some looked like newspaper or tabloid headlines, and some were in electric clock fonts. In a few looks, they were attached to and appeared to be pouring out of the skinny-legged pants, and in others, were printed on ninja star-shaped marshmallows held together by their corners. I couldn't figure out what this was getting at, but have a feeling it has to do with bringing communication to a new medium.

HA. Yeah, that's all I got. As a look, I dig it, though.
Untitled 4

There were then pieces that weren't so obviously on the same wavelength as the collection's concept when broken down, but still felt just as modern. Palettes from Spring were updated, grey coats like the one below were simple as silhouettes but calmly assertive. Same goes for the textural pants mixed with humble striped sweaters.
Untitled 6
Also? That dress next to the lil orange number? Needs to be styled with sheer Rodarte AW10 pants? Because it would look pretty and what I say goes? GOOD.

90 comments:

Maddie said...

adorable!!! i admire yer blog, tavi!!
www.livelovewearit.com

Emma said...

I totally agree with you on this one. My favorite "Nicky G" for Balenciaga collection, so far. This really is the real deal...this is the future. Man, and doesn't it look good? The shoes just might have been my favorite part, the mineral detail on an old classic is just amazing. He has worked hard to get up to this point, and this is just great. The colors, everything. Oh, and yes, those Rodarte leggings would look great with that dress, along with others. I love your little A+ thing -- so done w/ the week. There's only so much quirky
8th grade History teacher you can take. This is a really well done post! What other collections have you enjoyed so far?
Have a great weekend! Yes, good job, Nicky G.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I love it! It reminds me of those pastel pink and green candies, no idea what they're called. But I LOVE these colours.

Sincerely,
Sarah from The Etiquette Cult

Unknown said...

i LOVE the collection. Got every photo copied for inspiration. And i love those shoes. What can i say I Love Colors.

Have a great day Tavi.


I am Denise Katipunera

Anonymous said...

I love love love that you know Zoombinis. Best game from my chilidhood, hands down.

Efren Avila said...

Beautiful and quite an interesting collection from Nicolas' fall/winter collection for Balenciaga.
Your post is so witty, love it.
And those shoes are absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks for this "wonderful" post!

Keep in touch Tavi!

♥ MADISON thing

www.madisonthing.blogspot.com

Lightning Heart said...

"WHY IS THIS COLLECTION THE SUMMARY OF OUR FAMILY COMPUTER'S ACTIVITY FROM THE YEARS 2002-2005?" bahahaha classic. those shoes are fantastic

50two said...

i'm loving the lagging-computer-screen dresses

katrina said...

AHH, i adore the balenciaga collection, so darn much, the funny thing is i posted something about it too on my blog, my blog is kind of inspired by mine.. because well, YOUR PRETTY SPIFFY, DEAR.

stylestrangerthan-kat.blogspot.com

Caddy said...

Great review!!! I love reading you perspective on collections, they're well thought out and funny and honest. :)

Initials.CC said...

c'est juste incroyable !! quelle créativitée !!!


Des bisous de Céline & Charlotte

Parisbreakfasts said...

AW 10- always learn something new here...thinking it's like A4 highway in Britain..not...context is all.

samantha said...

i can't even explain what it is about this collection that makes it feel old and completely new.


discardedjunk.blogspot.com

Milena said...

Please come in.
http://milena-thenewstyle.blogspot.com/

Christina Barrera said...

I loved this collection so much. It really reminds me of a 50's/60's design aesthetic without the plastic.Like a more comfortable home from the past, if the past had been more about sustainable or simple natural materials, rather than the most synthetic and "advanced".

Christina Barrera
http:/ilstilo.blogspot.com
http:/christinabarrera-artblog.blogspot.com

THE MILK CLUB said...

I must somehow get my hands on a pair of those shoes!
They're quite spectacular. (:

C said...

I absolutely lovelovelove the subtle structures of the Nicolas Ghesquiere's collection for Balenciaga. Especially the shoes. So Mcqueen!

Chloe Tweeny said...

the shoes are to die for! :O

kyra said...

I love the shoes
I love the clothes
I love everything<3

Khanh said...

As a big Nicolas Ghesquière fan, I couldn't just watch and be disappointed.
Because something about this show really surprised and pleased me, but I didn't what...

So I opened style.com again, and looked carefully at all of these silhouettes.

I know what I like:
- Of course, the colours. yes, there are so refreshing, so different from what other collections offers.
- The textures: there are so rich experimentations, the quilt, the kind of origami newspaper dress, the napkin dress, etc.
- Then, the diversity of the looks are impressive. Many differents patterns, fabrics, shapes, but there is still this "parisian, sporty, comfortable, ready-to-wear", touch.

And, finally, what is really cool about Nicolas is that he doesn't try to make a perfect, finalized collection. He just keeps, experimenting new things, just like a student.. (just the contrary of what I said in the previous post lol)

H V said...

I love your blog! <3
X

Khanh said...

Tavi, did you see the last "Maison Martin Margiela" Collection?

As the previous one was seriously disappointing as Margiela left, this new one is really interesting! As if the designers finally understood what was Margiela's vision of style....

Really impressive, surprising, just as any of Margiela's collection before he left.

Anna-Lena said...

Love the grey wool sweather with the green threading!! Just adorable :)

Nice blog!

azadeh said...

I think it is exelent that you are a person who thinks (so/to much) - People tend to say that right -to much- What dos that even mean? Hmm what I can get out of that is something like: You also have to do something, and not just think all the time- But thinking can bee doing aswell as all other active doings, maybe that it something the world could learn, to think a little more. Stop alway wanting action. Zizek said this: "Marx said that untill now all the philosophers have tryed to do is to interpret the world, now it is time to change it, I (Zizek) say, wee shall stop doing and start thinking." I (Azadeh, the girl writing this) say we shall do both. Like Jonathan Safran Foer says "We shal both feed the hungry and stop eating meat" Why shall humans always divid everythin into categories - because it is practical yes yes I know- But why not try to do it all. This dos not mean that you shall do it all at once but dedicate yourself to what you are doing.. Hmmmm what I intented to say is what I said in the begining, I think (ha ha) that it is wonderfull that you think.

All the best Azadeh (An Art, philosophy and literature student og life Denmark)

Baro Lucas said...

Lovely, AMAZING!
a big kiss

Parisbreakfasts said...

FYI- a Fab bllog(?) that shows the clothes in motion
what a difference

Michele said...

Wow, I really really love this!!

My Gold Hair said...

Hi!I'm Sara from Italy - Milan and I love your blog. It's so interesting and amazing!
Bye! Sara
www.mygoldhair.blogspot.com

Diane said...

Indeed those shoes are amazing! And I like the thing that they didn't go with florals, velvet and lace like every other house this season ;)

have a fun weekend

kiss

Kasia said...

Oh beautiful shoes.! I am pleased that then again they are reigning pastel. At least personally I prefer cuts pungent, resolute although toned down and colours. Very much hair slicked down is blatant, I have nothing against it, but I would prefer more visible, bigger hairstyles

Erin said...

I really love the light pale and black swirly dress. It's a bit more sophisticated than the rest. This is a good post!

-Erin
Style-Savvy.blogspot.com

PS- Please check out my blog if you have a chance! I'm a young blogger, like Tavi!

La Mauvaise Vie said...

Hello Tavy, we are two Italian blogger, we adore your style! This is our new fashion blog

http://lamauvaisevie.blogspot.com/

indian.summer said...

Hey, I read about you in the H&M Magazin. ;)

Anonymous said...

Aaah those shoes are amazing!

Emily said...

Great review - I love how it reminds you of things that others wouldn't think of. The collection was kickass and I am SO HAPPY there wasn't a hint of velvet and there was limited black. Aside from the long sleeves, it barely felt like a fall collection!

xx

Jennifer said...

I actually really like a lot of the pieces for women, surprisingly. The use of colour and classic techniques with a futuristic twist turned out really well. Normally I'm not one for postmodern collections in fashion, but this one seems alright.

scarcelylegal.blogspot.com

Baby said...

Tavi, i love your blog.
please see my blog and write a comment!!


http://stardust-baby.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

the. SHOES. yeah baby

Anonymous said...

i think those sweaters are quilted. is that possible? this collection, along with prada is making me want to deconstruct things (the sweaters, those prada socks) and then reknit them, just for fun.

Kat said...

i find it amusing how you desribe school as 'disturbing' :P

Oh to Be a Muse said...

the shoes really are great!

cherylclarke.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

i dig...that dress would look fantastic with the rodarte pants.

Felipe Villada Ruiz said...

He’s just a genius; nobody does shapes like he does. I loved what you wrote in the post as well, I laughed a lot with the whole tom cruise reminiscence.
Nice blog too,
phil

Jess Rosenstiel said...

i heard so many times about you, but i did not had enough time to read ur blog. the only thing i can say is : "wow,i'm really surprised with you".
i never thought i would like it that much and that it would make me laugh. hihi.

enjoy the weekend !

XXX. JESS
http://bitterchocolatebanana.blospot.com

Clare said...

This collection really is amazing - I really really loved this season. I love that grey jumper with the geometric threading. The shoes really are the best though! The colours of them are so beautiful and strong, and I like how clunky and blocky they look.
Clare x

Anonymous said...

Great review! SO, first of all - I totally agree with you about the shoes. they were SO, SO great. In some way they reminded me a little bit of Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte (mainly because of the fact that, in both cases, the shoe looks like made of completely unmatching parts), but - these one here are incomparably better.

And don't be surprised that there's so much cliche things said about fashion & trends, heh, it's taking the easiest way. Not everyone is as creative as you, Tavi, in this blog :)

Jess Rosenstiel said...

I heard so many times about you, but I did not had enough time to readur blog. The only thing I can say is : "wow,i'm really surprised withyou".
I never thought I would like it that much and that it would make me laugh.
Enjoy the weekend !
XXX.JESS
http://bitterchocolatebanana.blospot.com

Unknown said...

Hi! I love your blog and your style!

Please visit my blog: oliwia-livethestyle.com

Unknown said...

Hi! I love your blog and your style!

Please visit my blog: oliwia-livethestyle.com

Unknown said...

Hi! I love your blog and your style!

Please visit my blog: oliwia-livethestyle.com

carolyn said...

very sweet...for some reason it's harder for me to interpret and understand futuristic themed collections, but I think I genuinely like this one. love the Pop article too!!!! way to go :)

theceelist said...

Very refreshing Tavi!.

http://www.theceelist.com/

Sarah Grace said...

I really liked this collection.

http://thebuzzonfashion.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

love all the pastels

firefly said...

Mm...they are still updating from previous collections, aren't they? But I still like the word-print sweaters and such. The whole collection looks "fashionable" without being "WTH".

Carina said...

I like how Balenciaga is able to mix it up season after season. and the colours! after several seasons of 'black is the new black', this is a breath of fresh air. Splendid

kimvee said...

All of those heels are AMAZING!

kimvee.blogspot.com
omvintage.etsy.com
ohmyvintage.blogspot.com

Romi said...

Review - "A+"...I love the wittiness, refreshing!Extremely professional...

Love your blog...

RoMi - http://wonderlandcloset.blogspot.com

im said...

ha ha i remember zoombinies, and that funny song at the beginning. :)

zoomslow said...

3rd box down, far right - is my favourite. You know the one, that silvery, greyee number, with the wordy lining??? :-) It looks good on the surface (ie. has nice colours, textures, prints...). And the way the words are "pouring out" - clearly has some kind of meaning - which is nice.

But best of all, I'm totally intrigued by how the thing works!?!? Is it pants and a jacket? Is it all-in-one? A jumpsuit? Don't you just love a good jumpsuit? Is all that wordy stuff the lining? Does the whole thing zip up to form an inter-galactic envelope that we could send to the martians as proof that we have evolved?

Good job, Tavi! :-)

P.S I swear that when I use this phrase I'm only thinking about rainbows and puppy dogs and Nicolas Ghesquiere.

mariska said...

OMG...OMG...
the shoes are very stunninggg!!
>.<

xoxo

www.greatmariska.blogspot.com
www.greatmariska.blogspot.com
www.greatmariska.blogspot.com

A(squared) + M said...

I dreamed about this show after seeing it online. Gorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous.

Tavi, I would be honored if you looked at our blog. My friends and I have started making t-shirt and so we started a blog about it. Please check it out!

asquaredplusm.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Love your reviews tavi!

fashionismysoulmate.blogspot.com

octoberose said...

Love the shoes, and the grey/green sweater. In fact, I love it so much I'm considering how hard it would be to do that threadwork on the grey sweater I'm currently wearing.

http://oct0ber0se.blogspot.com

Silmi Sabila said...

They're...amazingly awesome. Gosh, look at those shoes!

Anonymous said...

Those are some crazy outfits.

WendyB said...

Words on clothes = good.

Claire said...

You could say Great Job and think of Tim and Eric's awesome show great job...

Great insight, love your blog.

Anonymous said...

You've been tagged in The 10 Sources of Happiness.

Love your Blog!

<3

Chelsea'sGirl

www.chelseasgirl.wordpress.com

OHSOGLOSSY said...

If i see that looks, it looks like your style Tavi. It contain a stack shirt,dress,coat,gloves, all things just like you , i think. Beauty posts, that's hot !

www.ohsoglossyeyes.blogpot.com
for fashions and celebs threads

p.s. : i miss your look, Tavi !

Unknown said...

you've probs already seen this but if not:

http://www.nowness.com/day/2010/3/1/386
Rodarte's 2010 Space Odyssey
Couldn't stop taking screenshots throughout

Love the blog of course!

Isabella
http://bellaheureuse.wordpress.com/

Anna said...

Zazawhawha! Holy hell, the time has come. Does this guy dream in 4D? I mean.... NO SERIOUSLY! Somebody take me to where he's going!

Marii said...

My favourite show of the fashion week. Merci Nicolas !

Orville Cipres said...

I really adore the candy colors that were used and the futuristic concept. It's like a merge of the hard and the soft!! Nicolas is such an innovator! (wow i'm talking about him in first name basis! hahaha as if I know him personally) Anyway... adore balenciaga!

ólöf said...

those shoes remind me of Kron by KronKron shoes - http://www.kronkron.com/index.php?acao=itemsByBrand&type=&brand=53 - which I like better though..

I do find those lego-shoes interesting though..just not very wearable perhaps..

Fashion Hungry said...

SNOOD!
YES!
& the striped belted sweaters look like neoprene or something up close..i wonder i wonder.

Don Peloton said...

C'est très joli!!! J'aime beaucoup le choix de couleurs!! Elles sont très belles!!!
Maria

Silviastickers said...

Your blog is great!I love reading your point of view about style, you do very interesting and creatives posts!we're an italian interior design studio and we've recently opened this blog as further channel of inspiration and diffusion.I think we could learn from each other..or maybe I :D

please, come to visit my blog on
http://www.silviastickers.blogspot.com

Nick Colledge said...

Whoah, I'd never thought I'd find somebody else who remembers the Lilypad zoombinis game, I liked the pizza one better,I feel so old :(

paanie said...

i didn't realize your generation knew about snood. you're right about the shoes and you made me lol.

Unknown said...

three words;

Love, sexy, magic.


http://fashionispartofme.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

You are so cracking me up with the kickball comments. But Tavi, you have got to get them to make a movie of your life. Pitch it as "The Devil Wears Prada" meets "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"! I can just see the shot: a schoolyard playground with you kicking the ball, endeavoring to overcome the misery of middle school politics, and then cut to the fantasy sequence - the Miu Miu dress, then a Glamazon in said dress massacring the tiny 13 year old bullies at their own game. Classic. Btw, don't know if you're into Jakob Dylan - definitely seems you have a thing for his Dad - hear his new album produced by T. Bone Burnett is pretty hot. Cheers.

Cherie said...

I like all the bright colors... reminds me of easter eggs. or easter bunny vomit. but very very pretty easter bunny vomit.

Anonymous said...

I totally know the lily pad Zoombinis game you're taking about, and you're right! It does look like that

the_eye_collector said...

Zoombinis! I was OBSESSED with that game when I was a kid, but I didn't think anyone else in the universe had played it apart from me. I haven't played it for a long time, but I had a cheese-induced nightmare about it a few months ago that still haunts me.

schnelle or just elle. said...

the grey dress beside the black one... its classic in a nun kinda way. Simple and clean!

Liana said...

Rodarte pants + Balenciaga dress = PERFECTION. LOVE!

despluies said...

this blog is horrible. you have barely any fashion sense. i cannot believe fashion houses invited you their shows...your outfits look like you went to the trash bin at wal-mart and picked out whatever and threw it on. you can't act high-end couture and egdy, when you look like an overdressed, sassy, little 13 year old with gross blue hair. grow up and get some fashion sense. xoxo

Unknown said...

Good afternoon , I really liked your article , your article is very petrified me in the learning process and provide additional knowledge to me , maybe I can learn more from you , I will wait for your next article article , thanks .
Bandar togel hongkong