by Grace Gordon

Balenciaga stunned the crowds in Paris with dramatic, eyebrow-raising outerwear that looked like it came from, well, outer space. In reality, these odd puffy coats derived their volume from oversized knit faux leather material. It was hard to pinpoint what it was made from, because, at first glance, it looked like braided rubber hose. From these remarkable, outlandish coats to the blunt-cut graphic smocks and strange proportions, this collection made for one seriously futuristic fashion statement.

Designer Nicolas Ghesquière turned his attention to longer silhouettes and played fast and loose with shapes in this collection. Dresses were worn over pants to great effect: long tunic dresses with short funnel sleeves were paired with slim stovepipe trousers in bright colors. Urban warriors will love the vests in this collection, which came equipped with rows of shiny singles. What is most remarkable in this collection is what is absent: fur, glamour, feminine silhouettes – the list goes on. This is why Paris runways are the Brave New World of fashion. While everyone else does minimalism or plays in the past, Nicolas Ghesquière marches us fearlessly into the future.