Paris Fashion Week Spring 2014: Balmain, Nina Ricci

[ Images via WWD.com]

The Show: Balmain

The Theme: The Flash and Flare of the ’80s

The Color Palette: Black, white, silver, pink and blue

The Collection’s Signature, Standout Look:  The 80s were a time of excess and nobody does excess from that era, or this one, better than Balmain. Drawing from a visual vocabulary of pinstripes, quilted bomber jackets, heavy chains in black and gold and bold oversized houndstooth prints, Olivier Rousteing updated the ’80s mantra of  “Go big or go home” for the modern woman. A bold houndstooth dress cinched with a thick, chained belt and paired with a matching padded houndstooth jacket is sure to turn a few heads at the office.

The Show: Nina Ricci

The Theme: A Feminine Take on Masculine Shapes

The Color Palette: White,cream, silver, blue and green

The Collection’s Signature, Standout Look:  Looking towards menswear silhouettes, designer Peter Copping infused the brand’s signature femininity of design this season by incorporating lace and sheer fabrics into tuxedo shirts and collarless redingote coats (a riding coat). A floral cut lace ensemble that featured an oversized, casually tied bow at the collar recalled the menswear days  of dandyism that pervaded in 19th century Britain. With this soft and romantic collection, Nina Ricci has shown that taking a cue from the boys has never looked so appealing.