Paris Fashion Week: Balmain unveiled festival vibes for its African-inspired spring/summer 2023 collection, with Cher and Ckay performances and Kylie Jenner and Stromae in the crowd

Oct 2 , 2022

US singer Cher walks next to French fashion designer Olivier Rousteing as she presents a creation for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

French designer Olivier Rousteing pulled out all the stops on September 28 in his latest collection for Balmain at Paris Fashion Week, closing his show with US star Cher on the catwalk.

US model Ashley Graham presents a creation for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

The show began with Cher on a screen, saying: “All of us invent ourselves. Some of us just have more imagination than others.”

A model wears chunky bangles as part of a creation for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

But that was only a teaser before Cher appeared in person with her 1999 hit “Strong Enough” booming around the event at a rugby stadium.

A model presents an African-inspired creation for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

Dubbed the “Balmain Festival”, Rousteing unveiled his designs with clear African influences and mythological references including Apollo and Venus.

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Balmain took inspiration from mythological references for its ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 fashion collection presented on September 28, in Paris. Photo: Invision/AP

A model presents a head-to-toe pink creation for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

A particularly poignant moment during the finale came when black models walked down in a variety of textured dresses, some with the corseted look Rousteing favours and a song by Youssou N’Dour featuring the lyrics: “And when a child is born into this world, it has no concept, of the tone the skin is living in.”

Balmain models strutted in chunky heels for its ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 fashion collection presented on September 28, in Paris. Photo: Invision/AP

After the show ended, the rising Nigerian star of Afrobeats, Ckay, performed on stage for thousands attending the event.

A model wears a fiery print for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

A model presents a textured skirt and top for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

A model presents gold accessories paired with a black outfit for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

The devil was in the detail, with straw dresses as well as models wearing large gold earrings, large-brimmed hats and necklaces almost completely covering the neck, while others had nose rings.

A structured garment for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

The glamour oozed at the Balmain event, with celebrities attending including US singer and actor Dove Cameron, Belgian artist Stromae and American reality TV star and close friend of Rousteing, Kylie Jenner.

A bag with cut-out details presented at the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

US model Ashley Graham struts the runway for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

There were stars on the catwalk too, with famous American plus size model Ashley Graham modelling one of Rousteing’s creations.

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A model walks in a colourful printed ensemble for the Balmain spring/summer 2023 fashion show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, in Paris, on September 28. Photo: AFP

Rousteing, 37, has been artistic director at Balmain since 2011 and is known for pushing the brand into new territory and working with celebrities such as Jenner and her famous half-sister Kim Kardashian.

Nose rings were present for Balmain’s ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 fashion collection presented on September 28, in Paris. Photo: Invision/AP

As cosmetics becomes an ever-bigger industry, Balmain this week announced plans to launch a beauty line as part of a partnership with Estée Lauder.

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Paris Fashion Week

For Balmain’s Paris Fashion Week show on September 28, the brand featured inventive prints and accessories with mythological influences from Olivier Rousteing
Music filled the stadium with Cher singing ‘Strong Enough’ and tunes from Youssou N’Dour and Nigerian star of Afrobeats, Ckay; Kylie Jenner came for the spectacle