BALMAIN B-IT
SEPTEMBER 2022
Balmain’s cutting-edge slip-on riffs on unconventional inspirations while channeling an important theme.
With a surprising silhouette that somehow manages to perfectly pair streamlined minimalism with generously padded luxury, Balmain’s B-It sliders have been creating quite the buzz ever since Olivier Rousteing first premiered these futuristic unisex designs on the runway during the September 2021 Balmain Festival. Rousteing and his sneaker team dreamt up the cutting-edge slip-ons with the help of a wide assortment of extremely unconventional inspirations—ranging from Japan’s iconic Geta and Okobo sandals to the elegantly “yar” lines of the sleekest vintage wooden racing boats.
There’s no need to look at the metallic house logo to know where these slide-ons are coming from—the B-It is quite clearly a Balmain. These slip-ons incorporate the many technical and structural breakthroughs introduced in Balmain sneakers over previous seasons, as the house continues perfecting its “out of this world” designs while expanding upon the possibilities of lightness and extreme comfort that can be achieved by the house’s one-of-a-kind “shock absorbers.”
In addition, B-It’s relaxed ease and distinctive lines align perfectly with a theme that has often inspired Olivier Rousteing—the incredible freedom that results from honesty and healing. Rousteing beautifully channeled a painful accident and long rehab process into his Spring 2022 offerings, with the collection’s dangling bandages and gauze-like fabrics evoking his embrace of past suffering and the liberating power of recovery.
Many of the models were sent out in variations of the new B-It, which, as fashion editors noted, vaguely recalled the look of a surgical rehabilitation shoes and perfectly complemented both the incredible designs and the bold spirit of freedom that marched down the runway.
Photo and video credits
Models:
Tami Williams & Natalia Ogg
@thesocietynyc- Alton Mason
@imgmodels - Magdaleno Delgado
@heroesmodels Dir. Photographer:
Stylist:
Andrew Mukamal
@andrewmukamalMakeup:
Marcelo Gutierrez
@marcelogutierrezHair:
Charlie Le Mindu
@charlielemindu
Casting + Production + Post Production:
Set Designer:
Philipp Haemmerle
@philipphaemmerleLocation:
World Trade Center
@WTC