Luxury fashion brand, BALLY, has launched its Spring and Summer 2023 (SS23) collection, the first to be designed by Rhuigi Villaseñor.
A celebration of timeless sophistication, BALLY’s SS23 collection is a cosmopolitan exploration of European luxury through an American lens. It combines Swiss leather craftsmanship with ready-to-wear and accessories that exude sophistication and humour in equal measure.
Reflecting on the universal language of sportswear and its ease, Rhuigi approaches BALLY’s DNA as a leather goods atelier with a lightness of hand, ushering in a new sensuality and glamour for the house. Historical nods to the worlds of sports and cinema abound throughout the collection, with elements of ironic nostalgia that marry an elevated, youthful wardrobe with boldness and unapologetic style. Both daywear and eveningwear exude the confidence of the well-travelled.
The collection showcases a variety of materials, including tiger print suiting in silk velvet, double-breasted tailoring in summer wools and shantung silk pyjamas that celebrate feminine elegance with a relaxed masculine attitude. Crafted in Rhuigi’s hometown of Los Angeles, the season features engineered denim meeting myriad expressions of BALLY leather craftsmanship, from butter-soft suede to polished calfskin, stretch nappa and opulent metallics. Unexpected colour and fabric combinations give rise to heirloom wardrobe pieces, such as classic aviator jackets, louche tailored suits, trench coats and safari-inspired separates.
BALLY SS23 also pays tribute to Swiss traditions in watchmaking and toy production, incorporating chains, chokers, buckles and bag hardware. An innovative figure-8 design featuring interlocking Bs, inspired by BALLY’s legacy in elastic production, serves as a prominent symbol throughout the collection, scaled up or down to provide decorative accents. It complements melted baroque hardware and geometric chains that adorn frame bags, soft pouches, hobos and playful ‘take-away’ hardcase maroquinerie.
“In fashion as in our daily lives, beauty is always linked to a sense of place and identity: Ideas and gestures we can understand and connect with on a personal level,” says Rhuigi. “When I discovered the Bally universe, it was clear to me that my energy and my point of view would be the catalyst for a renaissance, two decades since the last Bally runway show. Placing Swiss craft and European art of living in harmony with my own American story, I’ve called this collection ECDYSIS — a reset and a celebration of radical luxury.”
BALLY’s footwear collection also undergoes expansion and transformation, exemplifying the season’s lively elements and transatlantic essence. From sculpted sandal heels and crystal mesh boots to embellished house slippers and archival Mary-Janes with a Cuban heel, Rhuigi injects a new energy through Western details and worldly references. This results in a fusion of radical opulence, sparking a new dialogue between traditional and contemporary styles.
Overall, BALLY’s SS23 collection showcases Rhuigi’s creative vision, while staying true to the brand’s heritage. Bringing sophistication and glamour, it will undoubtedly appeal to those with a well-travelled and confident sense of style.