Streetwear with Paris chic

TODAY IS A special day for all fashionstas as it heralds the arrival of the latest collaboration between luxury fashion house Balmain and high-street fashion icons H&M. The collection, which features both womenswear and menswear, is designed by creative director Olivier Rousteing and his passion for cutting-edge tailoring is evident in every piece.
Balmain’s womenswear collection for H&M is rich in detail and craftsmanship, encapsulating the themes and signatures that have made Balmain one of the most important luxury brands of the 21st century. Intricate embroidery and powerful silhouettes run throughout, together with Parisian flair and always a sense of effortlessness.
“The new H&M Balmain Nation is a complete collection that can be worn by different women on different continents. I have stayed true to the DNA of Balmain, richly detailed, powerful and yet effortless,” says Rousteing.
Feminine tailoring defines the Balmain silhouette, like the fitted velvet blazer with powerful shoulder pads, or a longer double-breasted blazer, its gold buttons imprinted with Balmain insignia. A leather biker jacket has a neat shape, gold detailing and dominant shoulders, while short bodycon dresses are quintessential Balmain, among them a long-sleeved deep-V neck dress that’s covered in green sequins.
Satin and velvet bring French femininity in a dark green silk satin blouse with a baroque jacquard that overlaps at the front to fasten at the shoulder and silk satin high-waisted harem pants with full volume at the thigh and tightening at the calf. Devore velvet is used for a long-sleeved turtleneck mini-dress and wide-leg low-waisted pants that are like flared pyjamas.
Graphic elements are exemplified through black-and-white wide vertical stripes on an oversized silk shirt and stretch jeans, as well as in the graphic red and black panels of a fitted knit dress. Rope detailing and metallic thread bring grandeur to such pieces as a velvet dress covered in a rope pattern and a black velvet dress decorated with eagles in metallic thread, with rhinestone and pearl embellishment surrounded with borders of gold rope.
An all-over beaded mini-dress is among the most highly realised ever for an H&M collaboration, fitted tight to the body with a heavy gold zip at the back. An embroidered black velvet blazer – as worn by Kendall Jenner at the Billboard Awards – shows the nonchalant side of Balmain and is long enough to also be worn as a dress.
Accessories are as important as the clothes, especially the high-waisted belts that have become a Balmain essential. Rope sandals and thigh-high boots add glamour, while rope necklaces, drop earrings and crystal-embellished pochettes finish the look.
The menswear collection by Balmain for H&M has all the effortless style that has made Balmain one of the most important luxury labels in menswear today. It includes sharp blazers, leather jackets with attitude, slouchy trousers and all the accessories needed to get the full Balmain look. Every piece is rich in detail, with strong silhouettes and a mood that matches Parisian tailoring with hints of the street.
A cropped black velvet jacket is embroidered all over with a rich pattern of black rope and black metallic thread, creating a piece that’s highly realised and full of the Balmain DNA. Leather jackets are decorated with hand-embroidered patches, with lions, eagles and anchors in gold thread at the cuff and chest.
Outerwear is particularly strong, with a strictly tailored khaki wool double-breasted coat with an imposing collar and a neat pea coat with padded quilting on the inside. Meanwhile leather jackets with two-way zips are a new wardrobe staple, in either washed out black leather or red and black.
A sportswear feeling runs throughout, from a black hoodie with quilted leather over the shoulders, to knitted track pants with a dropped crotch and vertical stripes running down the outside leg. Every piece has attitude, especially essentials like the ribbed jersey long-sleeved T-shirt, the off-white linen long-sleeved jersey with buttoned placket, or the black wool cargo pants with the all-important dropped crotch.
The collection is available at H&M Siam Paragon, CentralWorld Plaza, and CentralFestival Pattaya Beach from today.