Balmain Pre-Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear and Menswear. Review by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Balmain.

Let’s see from where Olivier Rousteing, creative director of Balmain, picked up his designs this time. From Venice of course. Only during the Carnival in February we can see the most amazing costumes. What Olivier Rousteing presented this time is oversized jewelry and military medals turned into costumes. Others inspired by Russia, but also Carnival costumes with many many appliques with pearls and crystals on them.

There are also some Gucci pieces and Gucci codes used in this collection. Famous Chanel jacket also finds its place in this Balmain Pre-Fall 2023 collection. There are several jackets of Chanel Olivier Rousteing likes, but one he fancies the most – the classic Chanel tweed. And of course Schiaparelli inspired, heavily decorated costumes (not garments) are very well presented in this collection, with little difference. These are not Maison Lesage embroideries but cheap knock off appliques, which you can obviously buy on Eatsy and cover all over all your jackets. Pay a little bit attention to the concept of “too much”.

Overall this collection is Chanel-Gucci-Carnivalesque, very Italian, and nothing to do with Balmain. But nice costumes though, very good for scene or cosplay.

See all looks Balmain Pre-Fall 2023