FLECHE

Sometimes, you just need to shake things up a bit. Or maybe a lot. Since 1945, Balmain has been surprising critics with bold and unexpected takes on luxury and design—and Olivier Rousteing is determined to continue building upon that distinctive legacy. “Part of designing for the 21st-Century Balmain is ensuring that my collections reflect how my generation actually wants to dress today,” explains Olivier Rousteing. “That’s why my runways are constantly melding universes together in unexpected ways—with the house’s most rebellious biker jackets paired with ethereal couture gowns, and street- and sport-influences rejiggered to adopt a unmistakable Parisian luxury slant.” The new FLÈCHE design—clearly the star of Balmain Eyewear’s latest collection—builds directly upon the house’s singular history of consistently disrupting the status quo, with Rousteing working closely with the Akoni team to perfect an avant-garde, luxury-yet-sporty, sculptured wrap silhouette, whose striking iridescent sheen is deftly finished off by an equally attention-grabbing, enamel- or matte-coated Japanese titanium frame. Straight temples and nose pads are crafted in rubber, for a comfortable snug fit, perfect for sports—or just sporty ensembles. FLÈCHE’s color choices reflect Rousteing’s favorite runway tones.