BALMAIN @ SS2013 Collection

Balmain SS2013 collection is a inspired by the smooth and sultry masculine, but undeniably feminine, chic of the singer Sade. This is a captivating mix of strong style that can't be ignored. The ultra-confident jacket and the relaxed but sharp pant take Olivier Rousteing's signature graphic silhouette to a new height of polish in his third collection for the house.

Sensually cropped tops, exposing shoulders and a slice of torso, combine with high-rise and rounded suit trousers for a poised and balanced allure. Striking black and impeccable, Balmain's new smoking is a curvy, crossover jacket with a new wing sleeve and square shoulders paired with a leather bralette.

Rousteing brings his signature state of the art couture techniques to a fusion of other cultural 90s influences such as the international explosion of Cuban arts, Latin cool, 90s street rap and the visual vocabulary they impressed on him. Diamond checkerboard and lace and artisanal Cuban 'wicker' embellish Balmain's cropped jackets, mixed with short salsa skirts and softly embellished sweatshirts.

High-rise pajama-soft trousers with box pleats are in bold black and pastel stripes and checks are paired boldly with an oversized three quarter graphic black and white stripe trench. And the Balmain Perfecto is sleek, cropped and simply zipped with a broad, square fearless shoulder.