With the 2017 Victoria’s Secret fashion Show right around the corner we’ve been teased and drip fed information about the show just enough to keep us on the hook, baying for more. From the announcement that Lais Ribeiro will wear the $2 million Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra, to the collaboration with high fashion giant Balmain, it’s a given that the show, which takes place in Shanghai this week, will be bigger, better and more high fashion than ever before.
So, what of that collaboration with Balmain? Well, it’s a two pronged attack, firstly Balmain’s Creative Director Olivier Rousteing will be a big part of the visual spectacle that is the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The show is divided up into themes and the Angels and models are dressed to the theme, Balmain will have its own segment of the show which will be filled with lots of metallic, futuristic designs. Think of the signature Balmain shape, short in the hem, low in the neck and wide on the shoulders – then exaggerate it and add wings. Needless to say it’s a big deal and the previews look awesome.
The second part of VS x Balmain is the shoppable collection. Landing in stores the day after the runway show and available to shop online on the same day, we’ll be treated to a capsule collection of core Victoria’s Secret shapes that have been customised and given a Balmain edge. The collection takes inspiration from the punk era with tartan, crystals, mesh and criss-cross strapping adorning pretty much every piece.
I’ve got a sneak preview of the collection and having seen it up close and personal it’s a shame they’ve shown to show it in this way. There’s a glossy, punk themed campaign that sees Stella Maxwell taking the lead and it’s visually stunning, yet the press images of the garments don’t feature any models which is a huge part of what sells the Victoria’s Secret product. So, whilst the product might look run of the mill here, there are some pieces here that are actually pretty damn amazing in real life.
Price point at the time of writing has been established for the Chinese and US markets – given that the show is taking place in Shanghai and shoppable immediately online that makes sense. The good news is, if you like what you see, it’ll be available in boutiques globally the very next day. Partnering with Balmain on a more fashion based project seems to hint at Victoria’s Secret making a move on the fashion industry and so I’d expect the associated pieces to cost more than their premium line. It begs the question of whether Balmain will remain a permanent fixture in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, or whether this inaugural designer led collaboration paves the way for further guest designer slots in the hotly anticipated annual show.
Every piece is designed to be interchangeable meaning you can take any piece, and pair it with another – unusual for lingerie. Rousteing took his brief and made sure that the key elements of tartan, rhinestones and mesh featured somewhere on each piece meaning that they could be worn together without question of them not matching. Because who wears underwear that doesn’t match?! Errrrrmmmm…. definitely not me…..
Note down your favourite pieces and bookmark the website Voyeurs, this collaboration is about to push sales of Victoria’s Secret through the roof…
Pixie xo
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