The "if" factor: Balenciaga Top Handles

Recently, Nicolas Ghesquire -the creative director for Balenciaga- was interviewed about his famous purses that are now considered classics and how that signature top-handle was almost once just a prototype.

In the interview he discusses that, at first, the top handle purses were not released because they weren’t sure they would do too well and people surprisingly did not like them because of their overall look. Little did he know how much of a huge hit the distressed leather, vibrant bags would be and how that top-handle would become an iconic staple for the brand itself.

In the early stages, there were only about 25 purses that were sent to be made in production for runway and that was it. It wasn't until supermodel Kate Moss had mentioned to Ghesquire that she loved the bags and he should re-think their ultimate value, that he was inspired to go full speed with production on these bad boys.

We should all be so glad and thankful to Ghesquire -and Moss- for making the top handles more than a prototype and unleashing the beauty of these bags to the world and not just the runway!

Text Jordan Bossman
Source(s): Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquire

Balenciaga’s Futurism: Paris Fall 2011

Besides the unmistakable, infamous top handle and distressed leather purses, the fashion empire of Balenciaga that is recognized all over the world for their unique and breathtaking designs.

Recently Balenciaga debuted their Fall 2011 collection in Paris and had rave reviews about their newest collaboration. From the celebrity sparked guest list to the critics, everyone there felt that the clothing and overall looks really came together intelligently, courtesy of Nicolas Ghesquière as head of the Balenciaga house.

The collection consisted of clean and classic lines while having a feminine and delicate edge. The first couple looks were a few exceptional woven leather jackets that would stop anyone in their tracks and lust over it. Slowly throughout the show, the woven leather jackets transformed into leather overlays on the dresses; a great effect for the show. The silhouette was extremely classic and had a lot of body to it with the hemlines touching just below the knees. The color palette that was used were a combination in many varieties of shades of dark orange, purples, reds, black and electric blues; perfect for the fall season.

Any women could find good use to any one of these pieces that walked the runway in Paris. The models worked the catwalk with natural and nude makeup that truly complimented the all-embracing futuristic look that Ghesquière was going for their fall 2011 collection; bravo!

Text Jordan Bossman
Source(s): Balenciaga

Balenciaga Paris

For the first time in twelve years, Balenciaga has released a fragrance: Balenciaga Paris.

It is a light and spring-like with a powdery, peppery tone- perfect for those who don't like strong, flowery perfumes. The shape of the fragrance bottle is inspired by the classic Balenciaga silhouette, which Nicholas Ghesquière pictures a woman setting amongst her things to create an 'Irving Penn-like still life'.

Actress/songstress Charlotte Gainsbourg is the face of the campaign, which was shot by Steven Meisel. Ghesquière chose Gainsbourg for her "oddity...and bizarre beauty"...it works.

Although you cannot yet get the fragrance, you can watch the designer talk about his process on the fragrance's website.

The Balenciaga Paris campaign will not be in full force until the spring, but the scent will be launched on the 15th at Bergdorf Goodman.

-Erin O'Hara