other at fashion weeks. If Dior decide to base their next show at the majestic Blenheim Palace, Gucci then jump onto the bandwagon and choose the epic Westminster Abbey as the location for their cruise show. If Karl Lagerfeld creates an eccentric set for Chanel one season, the next Louis Vuitton has gone that much bigger and better, with a front row to match. There is a constant struggle to secure a powerful front row too, or should I say f-row, such is the importance of sitting arrangements these days. If you have the likes of Rihanna, Rita Ora, Kylie Jenner, Kanye West and Lady Gaga in full view of the catwalk then massive kudos to you Alexander Wang. Or how about Burberry, where Kate Moss, Suki Waterhouse, Naomi Harris, Alexa Chung, Cara Delevingne and Sienna Miller all squeeze comfortably side by side onto the packed front row, all for the eager photographers keen to put their photos on Mail Online.
This past week has been Mens Spring 2017 fashion week in Paris, and just about everyone has popped up at one show or another. From Lanvin, Dior Homme and Kenzo to Hermes, Junya Watanabe and Dries Van Noten; the mens shows have attracted only the elite. Two of the biggest brands in the world, Olivier Rousteing's Balmain and Ricardo Tisci's Givenchy showed off their latest mens designs this week, drawing in a huge amount of interest. But it wasn't so much the clothes or the male models who stole the shows, but the handful of beautiful girls who stalked down the runway for their chosen 'team.' You see, the bigger names you have walking for you, the more cool (and powerful) you are. It's all a battle of power play, really.
 |
| Irina, Kendall and co at Givenchy ss2017 |
So lets meet the teams, starting with Givenchy. Ricardo Tisci famously has his set of famous girls whom he uses for everything, from the ad campaigns to the shows. They all have certain qualities about them, whether that be dark beauty, grungy looks, a strong stare or natural cool factor. Joan Smalls is the leader of the pack, with Tisci favouring the model above practically anyone else. She walked alongside Natalia Vodianova, Greta Varlese, Irina Shayk, Mariacarla Boscono and Yasmin Wijnaldum. Not to mention tw of the biggest faces in fashion, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. Dressed head to toe in Givenchy Couture with slicked back hair and ghostly make up, all of Tisci's girls looked sexy and strong with beautiful tailored jackets and jeweled column gowns. With simple black and white as colours of choice, the Givenchy girls did Tisci proud with their demure and elegant walks.
Next came the Balmain army; a term coined by Rousteing for his throng of the most beautiful models in the world. A Balmain show is always high in glamour, big with sparkle and strong with sex appeal, and Rousteing chose just the girls to walk alongside the men for his spring/summer 2017 show. Russian model Natasha Poly was first followed by an ethereal Doutzen Kroes in a khaki off the shoulder jumpsuit. Then it was pretty much a role call of who's who's. Sasha Luss, Cindy Bruna, Valery Kaufman, Katya Ledneva and Joséphine Le Tutour all took a turn down the catwalk, before Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio sauntered along in a black sheer dress with a green bow at the waist. You have to have a certain look at Balmain, and you have to be stunningly beautiful too.
“The beauty of the girls has to be matched with the boys,” explained Jess Hallett, casting director of Balmain to Vogue.com. “There’s a very definite beauty with the girls. They’re all very different, and they’re from all over the world. It’s very democratic in that way. But there’s a beauty and a confidence and a sexiness about them." Let's just say, if you're lucky enough to be accepted into the Balmain army, you've done very well. Just make sure you have a fab body, luscious locks and a smouldering stare, not to mention a huge social media following too.
When it comes to the battle of Givenchy vs Balmain, its a pretty close call. Whose the overall winner? I'm going to take a democratic vote on this and call it evens, with both brands leading with amazing models. I have to say though, this season Joan Smalls has been the overall winning girl at Givenchy having worked with Tisci for so long. While at Balmain, Allesandra really did steal the show in that daring black number, closely followed by fellow veteran model Natasha who amazed in a sequined mini dress. So, who's your favoruite? Do let me know before next months epic Round 2 battle, featuring Chanel vs Dior. Believe me, you won't want to miss it!
TEAM BALMAIN
TEAM GIVENCHY
No comments:
Post a Comment