Balmain Spring Summer 2024 “The Fashion Ctrl+C Ctrl+V”. Story by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Balmain.



The Balmain Spring Summer 2024 collection by Olivier Rousteing shown tonight has been met with significant criticism.
First and foremost, the collection has been likened to a “very poor copy” of Dolce & Gabbana, and this resemblance has raised questions about the originality of the designs. It’s disheartening to witness a renowned fashion house like Balmain seemingly resorting to imitation rather than innovation.
The decision to create a dramatic narrative around the collection’s transportation, claiming it was “carjacked at the airport” was rather like in a cheesy movie. It has left many puzzled. Given that Balmain’s atelier is situated in Paris, the logistics of this scenario indeed invite skepticism. Such stunts can overshadow the fashion itself and detract from the brand’s credibility.
Furthermore, Olivier Rousteing’s announcement of the show as a “big hit” did not align with the actual reception, which turned out to be another bummer. Setting accurate expectations is crucial in the world of fashion.
Olivier Rousteing continuously reports RUNWAY posts on instagram, and specially the ones I addressed to him. Olivier, what are you in the 2d grade? Grow up already! Fashion professionals are expected to carry themselves with a certain level of maturity and professionalism, and engaging in such actions could be perceived as rather PATHETIC.
And talking about Instagram. Did you know that more than a year ago Instagram implemented a recognition algorithm for the products? It means that every time we post an image of a look, this algorithm scans it and tells us to which brand this look belongs to.
I asked our communication team to take some screenshots of our posts where Instagram algorithm recognized certain pieces from Balmain Spring Summer 2024 collection as a pieces of DOLCE & GABBANA , suggesting also the addresses of the stores where to buy.
CURIOUS, HAH?

Algorithm recognized pieces of Balmain SS24 as pieces of Dolce Gabbana suggesting where to buy them
Rousteing’s statement about wanting to ensure that Balmain remains a French luxury house, while noble, is met with skepticism in light of the collection’s apparent lack of originality. It’s a reminder that legacy is built on innovation and uniqueness, not imitation.
The Balmain Spring Summer 2024 collection has faced substantial criticism for its lack of originality, questionable marketing tactics, and perceived immaturity on the part of Olivier Rousteing. This collection appears to be a collage of borrowed ideas rather than a unique endeavor, and it leaves much to be desired in terms of Balmain’s reputation for French luxury.
Cher’s attendance at the show may have added a celebrity touch, but it couldn’t overshadow the collection’s shortcomings.
it’s worth noting that observers keenly identified elements in the Balmain Spring Summer 2024 collection that bore a striking resemblance to designs by Daniel Roseberry of Schiaparelli, little black dresses with big buttons or dresses with birds. This discovery further reinforces the perception that the collection is heavily reliant on imitation rather than originality, as it draws inspiration from well-known and established designers’ past work.
Seeing such unmistakable similarities to designs from other fashion houses naturally makes one wonder: What Olivier Rousting is still doing here?


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