RUNWAY REPORT.....Paris RTW Fashion Week: Balenciaga S/S 2012

After Milan...comes Paris Fashion Week-Spring 2012

Balenciaga Spring 2012

Designer Nicolas Ghesquière showed his latest collection for the famed House of Balenciaga in Paris today. According to some attendees, several of the audience benches collapsed--yes COLLAPSED--as people were taking their seats. Then, a voice came through the loudspeaker telling everyone to just "Stand Up".

Salma Hayek, at the Balenciaga Spring 2012 Show, sporting a bandage over her torn ligament (not from the collapsing benches!)

So, yes, that's how everyone got to see the newest collection, even A-List front-row celebs like Salma Hayek and Catherine Deneuve and yes, Anna Wintour was standing too! What did they see? Lots of Cristobal Balenciaga-esque shapes but modernized for 2012. Structurally sturdy yet still floaty skirts, dresses and architectural jackets...

Balenciaga Spring 2012

Bright bold colors--navy, magenta, gold, brick red, bronze, and prints--both geometric and Art-inspired. Shoulders: Out to THERE! Sloping at times. The big bold tops were perfectly matched with slimmer above-the-ankle "cigarette" pants that looked effortless and oh-so-chic.

Balenciaga Spring 2012

Easy-breezy asymmetrical tops. Contrast patch pocket details that if any other designer did them, would look almost "Fashion-School Amateur" but Ghesquiere knows how to make it all look Ultra Luxe Sporty.

Balenciaga Spring 2012

Cristobal Balenciaga 1967, Sik Gazar One Seam Gown with Matching Hat

The final dresses, in all the color-and-print-blocking glory, as well as with all those stunning sequins are sure to end up in all the top fashion magazine editorials. And then there were those hats: A major nod to the House's founding couturier for sure. Click Below for the Full Runway Video of Balenciaga Spring 2012:

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