Snaps from Fashionologie
Balenciaga, one of most well respected brands and most exclusive-entrance shows was in danger of descending into chaos yesterday when the plastic benches of the front row cracked and collapsed on the floor. The benches had contained the finely chiseled derrieres of the likes of Salma Hayek Pinault, Anna Wintour, Catherine Deneuve, Grace Coddington, Hamish Bowles and one particular Carine Roitfeld – who was reportedly left flat on her back after the accident. Blimey holy ma-riley!
Twitter, as you might imagine went WILD on the occasion with New York Times commentator, Cathy Horyn getting in first with the observation ‘Benches cracking at Balenciaga as guests leap up. A second one just carted off. Now a third broke and nervous buzz starts, as in "Me next?”’ Photographer and street style guru Tommy Ton added the following detail – ‘I felt like I just attended the church of Balenciaga. Everyone standing in heels watching.’
Woweee! Imagining and re-imagining this mini scenario, with all the assembled dignitaries standing, stony faced, and possibly bruised of undercarriage, during the parade of somber Balenciaga spring summer looks, this season accessorized with Darth Vader helmets. Previous fashion week catastrophes include the time that chunk of ceiling fell down at a Michael Kors show in New York 1991 and clipped Suzy Menkes on the head! What a drama!
- Naomi Attwood
