Bouts of Balmainia

Balmainia is everywhere. It is almost as common as the common cold. People will spend thousands for one pair of biker jeans or over ten thousand for the embellished crystal jacket. I am admittedly a struggling member of Balmania wannabes. Every time I see Emmanuelle Alt decked out nonchalantly in Balmain my jaw drops with envy like an old cartoon character. I debate over which would be more important, my college education or that sweet sequin jacket. A few minutes later, I come back to reality and realize that I have to choose the college education, if only to supposedly make more money later and maybe even get the jacket that has the longevity of 5 minutes. I then think about how it would be if I actually had the jacket I so badly wanted in my possession. I realize how ridiculous it would be to own it. I would be walking around a small college campus in Upstate New York blinged out like Michael Jackson in the 80's. The jacket would most likely never leave my closet, as I am even too afraid to wear my Sergeant Pepper Jacket that I spontaneously found in London or my gold lace Marc dress. If I had thought any of my other articles of clothing were outlandish or ostentatious, they would seem tame by comparison. Through this thought process I overcome another bout of Balmainia and put the dream of obtaining it to rest. I am temporarily free from fashion crazes. Well that is until I see the new Nicholas Kirkwoods, now the combination of those two would be deadly.

photo from style.com

Style Influence: Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow-Up

The protagonist in Antonioni's film finds his life to be drab and devoid of excitement but this could be contested because could Swinging London really be drab? However, one thing that could not be contested was the enduring influence of the film's fashion, which is evident in today's styles. In the photoshoot scene there are several pieces, which when viewed without their extravagant accessories could be plausibly worn today. The polkadot playsuit was reflected in Sonia Sonia Rykiel's Fall 08 collection of whimsical polka dot dresses. The gold dress was reflected in Charles Anastase's peter pan collared swing dress from 2007.In a different shoot, the model's mink coat, short dress, and loaferesque shoes parallel Wes Anderson's iconic character Margot Tenenbaum or even Brisith "It" Girl Alexa Chung. While the stripped top with the white skirt is similar to A.P.C.'s hipster/prepster ethos.
Thomas, the protagonist, is equally fashionable as the women in the film. His slim slack with the blazers could be seen anywhere from East London to Lower Manhattan.
While the film may seem dated, it is worthwhile to watch not only for its statement on Swinging London and the image of David Bailey but for its enduring stylistic timelessness.

Images from Google Image