Toying with both tone and texture in equal measures, luxury fashion house Balmain sets us up for a monochrome masterpiece with their brand-new low top sneaker that’s just landed here at Aphrodite. Available in two distinctive colourways, one iteration arrives in stealthy black hues while the other would assert itself as a majority blank canvas, complete with a bulbous nude midsole.
Holding breathable mesh at the vamp, this low top sneaker from Balmain flips to reveal chunky ribbed-knit detailing at its heel, offering the shoe it’s multi-dimensional, front and back aesthetic. Flashes of Balmain branding features throughout both renditions, with variations stationed proudly to the tongue, sidewall, reverse and sole, while playful accents arise in unique positions, for example, a ’44 Rue Francois’ statement is embossed to the inner midsole to reinstate the brand’s heritage and Parisian roots.
As well as authentic French credentials, the design boasts tongue and heel pulls in order to ergonomically enhance the shoe’s construction, allowing the wearer to slip on the silhouette with optimal ease.
Bolstered with springy cushioning underfoot, get set for the smoothest ride possible through the cityscape in these tonal, plush must-haves from the Parisian powerhouse.
A year of seismic proportions, these last few months have been unforgettable for many reasons, but one offering that particularly stands firmly on the greener side of 2020 is ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance’. Capturing a stellar Chicago Bulls team of yesteryear and Michael Jordan’s rising star, the docuseries saw many of us fall headfirst into a love affair with basketball, and apparently, high fashion is on side too, as Balmain has seemingly proved this season.
Aptly dubbed ‘B-Ball’ sneakers, the Parisian fashion house’s latest footwear delivery catapults courtside kicks into a whole new dimension. Looking like they’ve landed from the year 2050, these futuristic hi-tops are destined to command attention within the cityscape. They’re wrapped in a wearable milky colourway, coming complete in a juxtaposing bulbous yet razor-sharp construction.
Opting for supple calfskin in the upper, the Balmain B-Ball design possesses a pairing of designer credentials, including a large brand patch to the tongue and inky-black stamping to the foot strap. In addition to a range of status-driven accents, the sneaker also sees functional elements at various positions, with a handy heel pull to the reverse and breathable perforations situated at the vamp. To finish, three-dimensional overlays draw attention at the midsole, while a subtle ‘B’ emblem resides subtly to the toe.
Shop the Balmain B-Ball sneaker online & in-store at Aphrodite while stocks last.
Deriving from the work-mans’ aesthetic, denim has been a notable part of mens’ fashion culture for over a century, revolutionising the way men dress and express their style. Heavily influenced over the years by politics, music, art and youth culture, denim has become a timeless fabric in various forms, catering to every man in every generation. Whether it be in traditional indigo jeans, to distressed jackets in acid wash, denim has evolved beyond its originals means, allowing it to complement any outfit for any occasion.
Smart Casual
The first thing to come to someone’s mind when thinking of denim is a classic pair of jeans, being a statement piece for most male wardrobes. Being something that can easily smarten up an outfit without trying too hard, jeans are now a go-to for most day to night affairs. The versatility in the garment allows you to easily adapt to any formality, whether they be paired with a crisp white shirt and dress shoes for a smart day time look, or with some sneakers and a bold graphic tee for a more vibrant night time look.
One style that a pair of jeans is prominent in is the classic 50’s mod trend. Heavily influenced by music and modern style icons like Liam Gallagher, this look represents the essence of mens’ formal style clashing with a casual comfort. Jeans have become a quintessential part of the look, with a roll up to highlight the socks typically styled with desert boots or dress shoes. Try styling it with an over shirt to layer up with various textures to nod to the smart comfort that the mod look boasts.
Get The Look:
The Denim Jacket
Oozing style blended with a hint of edginess, a denim jacket is the perfect addition to any outfit. An easy way to dress up a basic silhouette, a denim jacket is the ideal ‘chuck-on’ that ends up making the statement for the full look.
Challenge yourself by stepping away from the traditional sense of a denim jacket and become bold with your choices, going for a treated version. With hand done distressing, a large logo embossment to the back alongside intricate metal detailing, the Balmain denim jacket featured in this look is forefront in its evolution. Let the jacket do the talking, pairing it with a darker hue such as black or a deep indigo navy to highlight the structure of the fabric and the natural wear and tear it will provide. Adding character and flair to your outfit.
Get The Look:
Double Denim
Usually a phrase that would spark dread amongst most, double denim is a trend that everyone should get in on. Allowing you to really appreciate it in all its’ forms, doubling it up gives you the chance to layer up on texture and shades, forming a coherent and versatile look.
DSquared2 is a main competitor amongst denim and experimentation, providing several treatments and design accents to nurture your style needs. With their statement distressing and paint splatter, layering up their items can really intensify the manipulation of the classic material, resulting in a raw and versatile appearance. Take advantage of the chance to layer up and introduce new prints amongst the acid wash, with a bold stripe to help break up the outfit. Match with a pair of sneakers to finish off the look.
Get The Look:
Denim allows you not only to nod towards a history of style, culture and revolution in your clothing, but also have fun and experiment with layering, fabric treatments and prints. Despite being a classic piece in menswear fashion, modernization of it over the years has introduced a youthful and raw aesthetic.
Filtered through Olivier Rousteing’s monochrome state of mind, Balmain’s Autumn Winter ’19 collection is set to be a sumptuous head-turner.
In retrospect, although no one could have anticipated it at the time, 2011 would be the year to transform fashion forever. In Paris particularly, operations were following a startling shift; a then 25-year-old Olivier Rousteing had courageously taken the reins at the historic house of Balmain – a move that would go on to redefine fashion’s agenda for the foreseeable future.
In Rousteing’s celebrated eight years at Balmain’s helm, the house has firmly broken into the 21st century. The label’s lauded predecessors such as, Mr. Pierre Balmain himself, and Oscar de la Renta, had already cemented the house’s path to elegance, yet none had quite stirred up the contemporary appeal as that of Rousteing. In the seasons just before Olivier’s succession, Christophe Decarnin tried his talented hand at triggering modernity within the house, falling just short to that of Rousteing’s superlative standards.
Now, for Autumn Winter ‘19, the house calls on a plethora of diverse inspiration – sourced from far and wide. As-ever designs in the collection fuse contrasting themes of grunge and glamour; an aesthetic the label has become synonymous with under the guise of Olivier. Additionally, subtle Eastern influences gently unload into the capsule, no doubt much to the delight of the brand’s vast and loyal following on that side of the globe. And rounding off the lineup is Balmain’s first official foray into footwear; a collection sparking huge significance for Olivier Rousteing and a monumental touchpoint for the brand as a whole.
Kicking things off with a slew of luxe, monochrome pieces, the Autumn Winter ’19 capsule effortlessly blends the realms of luxury and streetwear. For example, the pairing of the brand’s velvet teddy jacket and branded hoodie here creates the perfect balance of sumptuous style and casual layering. Added accents, in the form of a baseball cap and the brand’s B-Troop Strap sneakers, signify the outfit’s obvious urban status, while the logo-laden aesthetic further unravels through simple base layers, including a short-sleeve signature tee and all-black trousers.
By insisting on the injection of sportswear cues throughout Balmain looks to not only hit a home run this season but also shoot some hoops on the hardwood and the proof is in this next outfit. With a sweatshirt that wouldn’t look out of place on the baseball field and the aptly dubbed ‘B-Ball’ sneakers on foot, the look is wholly sport-luxe.
The sweatshirt, in particular, unites Western and Eastern influences; not only does it shine the spotlight on one of America’s beloved batting games, thanks to its striped base and colour-blocking formula, but it also introduces Japanese design language into the mix – tooling Rousteing has displayed an affinity for in the past. Together with the distinctive cultural elements, an all-black Balmain belt bag gives the look a functional, finishing touch for urban dimensions.
The lack of ostentatious hues throughout the collection is sure to be welcomed by all those wishing to curate a versatile wardrobe, with plenty of pieces up for grabs that can be effortlessly mixed and match. The adaptability of the following look is demonstrated through its monochrome palette. Made up of a woollen blend sweater and taped joggers, the ensemble deliberately leaves bold colours behind for a sleek, street-led look which is without question cut for comfort.
Altogether, the Balmain AW19 collection makes a superb case for versatility. The high-key to low-key contrast of the garments ensures you’ll stand out in the streets while giving you the opportunity to experiment with mixing and matching a number of pieces from the lineup. Hats off to design favourite, Olivier Rousteing, yet again…
Steeped in decades of glamour, French fashion house Balmain has become a byword for Parisian prestige and the label’s latest AW19 piece – a luxurious Balmain Jacket Teddy – does everything to bolster this perception.
Brought to life under the reputable hand of Japanese craftsmanship, this Balmain Jacket is made from a plush blend of velvet and rayon fabric. Cast in clashing black and white hues, the design presents a decisively high-key and low-key construction that’s destined to command attention and the brand’s knack for drawing in the crowds, each and every season, can only be owed to house helm, Olivier Rousteing.
Since taking the reins in 2011, Rousteing has successfully filtered through his penchant for Eastern influences, intricate detailing and powerful proportions, while reinstating the global acclaim of Balmain. With this Balmain jacket Teddy, Olivier fuses the house’s taste for the finer things with a varsity-inspired look – demonstrated by the striped detailing at its collar, cuffs, and hemline, coupled alongside bordered articulation at the sleeves which are braided in a delicate monochrome thread.
To the reverse, a metallic medallion operates as the literal silver-lining of the garment, holding the label’s rich identity in a crest-like formula, while to the front, Rousteing’s team spirit graduates with the letter ‘B’ woven into the chest. Detail wise, a two-way zip closure will enable the wearer to reveal further luxe layers hidden under the design, complete with the addition of two side pockets for carrying smaller valuables.
Opulent in every way, the Balmain jacket Teddy is drenched in Olivier Rousteing’s deluxe design codes and is sure to be a winner for the streets or elevated occasions alike. Purchase yours at Aphrodite online or in-store now.
Chances are unless you’ve been living under some sort of social media repellent rock, you’ve heard of Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing. Taking the helm of the esteemed French fashion house in 2011 Rousteing wasted no time in letting his youthful presence and infectious energy be felt, piecing together not only collections that have fuelled the brand’s continuous evolution but jaw-dropping runway shows, where rubbing shoulders with a vast list of celebrity acquaintances is high on the agenda among spectacular visuals and, of course, quality garments.
Continuing things on in a contemporary direction Balmain recently announced that they would be treating their vast army of supporters to the brand’s first-ever Balmain sneakers collection. Using Rousteing’s self-admitted sneaker soft spot and a desire to become more accessible as the driving force, the collection sees an amalgamation of a decidedly larger-than-life Balmain design direction with a plethora of influential reference points splayed out across both high and low silhouettes.
First teasing the collection in their SS20 runway show, this focused offering from the brand sees various footwear styles effortlessly blended into singular pieces. Through robust shapes, divisively chunky soles and panelled uppers, many of the trainers up for grabs manage to fulfil two roles at once, simultaneously appearing both sporty sneaker and utilitarian boot. Keeping colours to a minimum the selection instead opts to let both quality materials and unique elements do most of the talking with premium leathers, military-inspired straps and synthetic overlays bringing a sense of well-rounded depth to each individual piece.
Taking a step away from boot-sneaker hybrids the collection also gives way to a familiar low-top outline treated with the same levels of elevated styling. Using the classic sneaker as a canvas, Balmain utilise a purposefully rough around the edges spray-paint treatment to the midsole, allowing the paint to bleed onto the uppers alongside scrawled out ‘Balmain’ and ‘things have to change’ callouts for both a bespoke and edge-driven finish.
Given Balmain’s already astronomically impressive output when it comes to things from the ankles up we are sure this first collection-wide foray into footwear is sure to have something for everyone whether you’re looking for creative design, superb craftsmanship or urban appeal.
One of the most storied houses in fashion history, the Balmain brand is synonymous with luxury, and we are privileged to add the esteemed brand to our roster of the world’s finest menswear this season.
History of Balmain
The house was established by in Paris in 1945 by Pierre Balmain, the son of a drapery merchant and a man-about-town in Parisien society. After showing just one collection, which was feted by luminaries such as the costume designer Cecil Beaton and intellectual writer Gertrude Stein, the house quickly cemented itself alongside Dior as a force in French fashion. Balmain used his natural charisma to build relationships with his customer base, along with courting interest from further afield, outfitting everyone from Hollywood film stars like Marlene Dietrich, to foreign royals, notably Queen Sirikit of Thailand, who was touring the West at the time.
The Balmain brandwas one of the first labels to adopt this pan-global approach, seeing the potential in the American and Asian markets and tailoring the commercial supply to meet the demand in these areas. After Balmain’s death in 1982, the brand went through a succession of different creative directors, most notably Oscar de la Renta, who helmed the house for the period between 1993 and 2002. Bringing a new personality to the brand, de la Renta leveraged his status as a native New Yorker to bring a metropolitan vibe to the Balmain brand, while still respecting the aesthetic and designs of the house’s founder.
Balmain Today
In recent years, the Balmain label has seen a new surge in popularity thanks to young creative director Olivier Rousteing and his social media-savvy persona. The second-youngest person to hold a creative director position in Paris, since 2011 Rousteing has utilised both traditional runway shows and his wealth of Instagram connections to present his vision for the brand. In contrast to Balmain’s classic, understated image, Rousteing injects a sense of youthfulness to the collection, adding a wealth of influences ranging from military uniform, rock-star aesthetics and nods to Asian culture to create something totally unique while still respecting the history of the brand. Having grown his acclaim much in the same way that Pierre Balmain did decades earlier — appealing to a changing global market, while using his own personal charisma to build an enviable list of contacts and customers among the rich and famous — Rousteing is arguably the closest the brand has come to a true successor to its founder, which is reflected in the growing success of the brand.
Keeping the luxury DNA intact, Rousteing’s Balmain brand is the ideal balance of refined sophistication and rugged masculinity. Key pieces from the collection include the Biker Jacket and Biker Jeans: a formidable combination that elevates these two wardrobe staples into something worthy of fashion royalty. The jacket is crafted from the finest lambskin, buttery-soft to the touch in contrast to its tough-guy looks, playing on the iconic ‘Double Rider’ jackets sported by 50s icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean. Balmain jeans, meanwhile, transfuse the blue-collar staple with an unexpected motorsports influence, reframing panelled motorcycle trousers in sturdy washed Japanese denim for a uniquely textured, three-dimensional look. Supporting these investment pieces are a plethora of essentials like t-shirts and sweats, each given a unique Balmain twist. Displaying a graphic language that’s informed by Rousteing’s influences from the worlds of music, fashion and travel, Balmain t shirts and other apparel are the perfect way to inject some luxury into your off-duty wear.
Finally, Balmain footwear is the perfect accent to the rest of the collection. Whether looking for a contemporary, chunky sneaker like the Jace, a sleek and sophisticated ankle boot, or something in between like the slip-on Sock Sneakers, the latest lineup of Balmain shoes is some of the strongest ever, all boasting superlative European construction, making them true investment pieces.
