Balmain Festival v03 | Spring Summer 2023

Courtesy of Balmain

Balmain Festival V03 Summer 2023, pushes the boundaries of ordinary trends by experimenting with new techniques and materials. Relaying the importance of climate change, the collection worked with partners to avoid their carbon footprint. Through sourcing teams, the brand foraged bark, branches, and twigs, without harvesting any living trees. These materials were used to create stunning looks–embodying the beauty of nature and fashion.

A bustier formed from the bark of chestnut trees creates a formation consisting of beautiful winding shapes perfectly bound together. Motivated by climate change, the collection focuses on changing the standard of fashion and reusing the materials available to all of us. “By motivating us to redouble our sustainability efforts and opening our eyes to the endangered beauty that surrounds us, this summer’s disquieting heatwaves, droughts, and forest fires have definitely affected us.” Creative director Oliver Rousteing was inspired by his connections to The Horn of Africa after recently discovering his birth parents were from there. The traditions, styles, and beauty of the region heavily influenced this collection.