The Gay Hussars, the Hungarian Army's elite force of horsemen, were brought to the runway for Olivier Rousteing's luxurious showcase, inspiring Balmain menswear for the Fall/Winter 2016/2017 season.
Thick gold lacing adorned strong-shouldered military jackets alongside quilted red cummerbunds and rich dark velvet pants. Large leather gauntlet gloves evoked a mood of aggression alongside knee-high leather quilted boots, tassels, shiny buttons and military insignia.
On the opulent showing that stood out from this season's menswear presentations and served to remind observers of the continuing beacon of light that the eternal city casts on the industry as a whole, the designer revealed:
"Paris is the City of Light and those lights should continue to shine. I want to bring back the dream and beauty that is Paris... and make all men feel like princes again."
"I want to show the diversity and colors of France and to show that Paris has a past, a present and it will have a future."
A symphony orchestra, playing live to a hip-hop soundtrack, provided the musical tone.
"Mixing Kanye West and Rihanna with a symphony orchestra is my universe. I am French in a French fashion house with a couture tradition which also has a very international influence. That for me is Paris — it is that internationalism and the richness of the mixing of cultures."
"This singular eagerness to embrace a diversity of cultures and ideas... enrages intolerant minds both here and abroad."
See more photos here.
