Balenciaga – Pre Spring/Summer 2016 Ready-To-Wear

Alexander Wang has been situated at Balenciaga for almost two and a half years. As posts go, it’s as prestigious as it gets, but he’s managed to retain his sly sense of humor. It came out on a logo scarf made from what looked like terry cloth. It’s Resort, after all, he could’ve been saying—have a beach towel with your white coat and trousers. A few looks later there was an actual beach towel, wound sarong-style around the hips of a black swimsuit, but it’s not the kind of thing you’d want to get sandy or wet.

Elsewhere, the evening dresses with corsetry boning, silk and cotton jacquard peplum jackets, and a synthetic lace skirt peeking from the hem of a double-breasted sleeveless coat looked every inch as precious as they really were. The idea Wang was working with this season was couture from the inside out. It read as a warmer-weather, lighter-in-spirit extension of his Fall show, which explored the mid-century shapes of Cristóbal. The lightness factor made it easier to like. It was just easier to imagine slipping into these pieces and going about your cocktail party or gala event business than it was last season. Real-world ease is something he’s excelled at with his signature brand. Balenciaga is a different business entirely, but it was good to see some of Wang’s old self rubbing off here.