A Gothic Paradise?

Balenciaga Haute Couture F/W 2021-22 July 7, 2021

Balenciaga at 10 Avenue Georges V

The Major hype surrounding this show was who attending it and what were they wearing! Especially what was Kanye up to? He had on that funky YZYGAP round puffer jacket in the color black-the same one that was on sale for a few hundred bucks in bright sky blue a few weeks ago. It looked a bit better in black, but still has no zipper or buttons to keep you warm. Then he had his entire face covered with a mask. And to top it off, he wore Adidas Yeezy’s (Foam RNNR’s) with NIKE socks, totally freaking out most snearkerheads. Also in attendance were: James Harden who is now on the board at Saks 5th Avenue. Lil Baby. And a few others listed below.

IN ATTENDANCE:

• Kanye West
• James Harden
• Lil Baby
• Anna Wintour
• Bella Hadid
• Lewis Hamilton-Formula One Driver

Here’s two vids of the celebs arriving. Giving you a feel of the hype surrounding this special Balenciaga Couture Runway Show. Kanye West made a very impressive entrance.

Kanye West Arrives at the Balanciaga Runway show 7/7/21

James Harden and Lil Baby arrive at the Balenciaga Runway show 7/7/21

Lil Baby and James Harden had a bit of a run-in with the Paris police a bit later in the night after the show. Something about some funky smells in and around their town car. They seem to be doing alright now.

This was the first Balenciaga Haute Couture Show since 1967. Talk about pressure for the former co-founder of Vetements – Demna Gvasalia. Who took the helm of Creative Director in 2015 succeeding Alexander Wang.

I’m not sure how the show could reach expectations set at such a high level, 50+ years since the last couture show of an amazing brand with such a high pedigree of excellence. Luckily the the success of the Balenciaga sock runner and Triple S sneakers, along with many of the NBA rocking the Balenciaga brand across their chest, made this show right in time with the times. A perfect storm moment to bring back Couture at Balanciaga.

As you’ll notice, some of it is quite wearable and some mostly for the show and art of the day. Especially those domed mushroom hats. They are quite extravagant, but unless you’re going to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, very unwearable.

There is NO music in the Runway show, an ode to the 1950’s + 60’s when Cristobal Balanciaga wanted the clothes to do the talking, walking and rocking. In 2021 it gave us an eerie/scary vibe, some coughs and weird crunching of the clothing. I would have MUCH preferred a Techno + Lounge + a bit of Industrial dance soundtrack. Maybe next time? One could hope!

The clothes featured giant, exaggerated tailoring. Oversized Suits and Bathrobes. Extra Wide shoulders. Faux Fur. Precise and obscure cuts of clothing. Along with a multitude of slicked hair, Coolio cornrows, Tom Cruise eye masks and a sleek black mushroom shaped chapeau pour votre tete.

Could have had more black outfits. But Demna likes his bright yellows, pinks and greens. There’s a bit of underground Vetements humor in the collection, but a bit more classic Balanciaga. Although the long + elongated black suits are probable a bit more Vetements. They are cut nice, but wearing one of those suits to a dinner event would make it hard to eat without getting sauce on your clothes. And some cuts too large and obtruce, they reminded me a bit of a child wearing their moms or dads shoes or clothes.

Having the Kanye hype helped and all in all quite: Fierce and French. A Gothic Paradise, not quite, maybe a Haute Couture version of a Goth in Paris? It was quite an endeavor to take on and do as well as was done. A grande tribute to the past and present it was. Enjoy with a couple bottles of Veuve Clicquot and some macarons and you’ll be good to go!

Demna Gvasalia summed up the day with this quote:

We cannot only look into the future. We have to look into the past to see where we’re going,” he said. “Clothes have a psychological impact on me. I realized they make me happy—and I realized that’s the purpose of fashion. It’s not about the frenzy and buzz—and the white noise, I call it, of the digital mayhem we’re living through. The essence of it is my passion and the tools. I realized that couture is the best way to manifest it. And this is what really turns me on.”

Demna Gvasalia

See Rotersand’s OG Gothic Paradise video prepared by Sniper Wells below:

See you on the Streetz…blog!

The Balenciaga Video Game Runway

AFTERWORLD: The Age of Tomorrow. Balenciaga Fall 2021

As we emerge from our cocoons of 2020 we’ll find some things the same yet many changed. Some futuristic, a bit of retro-vintage, Rave culture, maybe a bit of the Roaring 20s. This video filmed as a video game shows many of the trends to expect as we emerge from home bound to a combo of home and outta bound.

The more you watch this video the more you’ll see. Here are a few of the key takeaways:

• Your Avatar image melding into your Real Image of yourself. We’ll see people on the streetz looking more and more like their Zombie killer, Prince and Princess, Farmer, Cyber-Punk video game avatar. The imagined becomes real very quickly.
• Functional Tech-Wear: Less about showing off the features. But building in the sweat wicking, multi pocket, rain resistant clothing. The incorporation of the tech without showing it off.
• 90’s Rave Culture, as see in one of the Zones on the video. Neon Greens, Pinks and Orange. Mixed in with sombre blacks. Its either gonna be a 90s Rave, a 1960’s Psychedelic experience or a Roaring 20’s kind of year for some. Especially for the 16-30 year olds.
• Virtual Reality + Real Reality with a touch of Augmented Reality melding into ONE. Goes a bit back to the Avatar mentioned above. And Richard Branson going to space. Things will move, meld, change from the unreal life to the real faster than anyone could ever Imagine.

You’re sure to find even more hidden gems inf the Vid. Check out the Balenciaga Video Game Runway show below and let us know the trends you see in the comments section below. See you on the the Real Streetz…very soon!

Jackin’ Music Colorful Clothes Prelude to Summer Party

Jacuemus: Fall/Winter 2021-22 Runway Show

The Jacquemus Fall/Winter 2021-22 Runway show takes you on a colorful ride through a Teletubby land filled with Bright Orange, Florescent Pink, Bold yet Light Blue and some nice requisite deep dark monochromatic black. Complete with both menswear and womenswear rocked by super models including Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.

From the Mountains to the cover of Vogue to the Athleisure bondage bedroom. Jacquemus takes you on a journey thru a multitude of colorful clothing and beautiful people. Giving us a look into the post pandemic Summer of Love Candy Land filled with non-stop Parties.

France’s Simon Porte Jacquemus coed collection can be seen below and pre-purchased now (7/2/21) on their website. Utilizing the pre-order formula, made to take care of the environment while maximizing profits. Just Like Travis Scott and McDonald’s did with their “streetwear” collection.

See the Highlights and the Lowlights and the Video of the full show below:

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Bright Orange and Bright Pink-Love that color combo
• Faux Green Lawn & Faux Blue Sky ala 1990’s Teletubbies TV show
• Shag haircuts + Corn Rows
• Zip upon Zipper Layering-Pretty Dope Effect
• The clean flow + fit of the thin fluescent fabrics
• Athleisure Bondage Vibe
• Tinie Tiny Purses + Big Bold Colorful Backpacks
• The Risque Sexy Ibizaesque Women’s Tops-Bound to sell-out
• Vibrant Colors taking us to into the Summer of Love Post Pandemic Party

LOWLIGHTS:

• Baggy Brown Cowboy Pants
• Pink Skull cap hood like hat
• Flip-Flop cap ala Underdog
• Thick brown long skirt
• Men’s too tight black and grey striped and orange biker shorts
• Too many different themes

What do you think of the Runway Show? Let us know in the comments section.

See you on the Streetz…blog!

Discord in the Dystopian Sea

The Ocean, the Beach + Rick Owens

Rick Owens Runway Show Paris Fashion Week Fall Winter 2021/22

The New Normal is a Nickel Plated Slate Grey Dystopian World-SM

Rick takes us to a deserted beach in the middle of Winter to show his post covid collection of super long sleeves, Multi Mega ripped cat suits, and clunky heeled boots. The bone skinny models fitted in comfy down jackets, saunter flawlessly across the stark cement runway. While small cold waves crash into the sand. Can you feel the chill? Ready for Dystopian Chic Blade Runner gentrification?

#Gethsemane

For some reason, many of the Highs are also the Lows. Listed below are the Highlights and Lowlights. See you at the Beach!

HIGHLIGHTS

• The setting. A built in Runway surrounded by the cold ocean at a beach with No people
• Behind the Scenes action. Fun to see the crew getting the models ready to walk
• The Music: Fit the cold stark eerie mood of the setting
• Greys and Blacks
• The PInk Hair. It could have been more spectacular with some popcorn yellow, bleached blue and neon green. Like every 4th person would have been pretty cool to do
• The Multi -Mega ripped catsuit and dress
• Blade Runner Dystopian Theme throughout

LOWLIGHTS:

• The Giant shoulder pads
• Aqua sequins
• Behind the Scenes acting up. The people were all too stressed out and moving too quickly. The show was doing fine with a nice mellow feel, then they acted like it was the end of the world.
• The Music: Could have added in a bit of Drum and Base and mixed it up a bit
• The skirts that flowed out at the knee
• Bellowing smoke at the tip of the runway

Gucci Glamourama

Gucci Gang Gucci Gang-My Lean Costs more than Your Rent

Photo by Bruno Thethe on Pexels.com

Gucci Goes where Energy Flows

4/16/21: The Gucci Aria 15:30 minute mini movie takes the place of an IRL Runway show. It’s been interesting to see these mini movies encapsulate various brands new clothes. Some of the mini movies have been stark, some were brazen, a bit of color and some nice sleek black + White.

Gucci decided to throw everything into their mini movie. Some of it not too obvious, a bit more subtle, Yet, there is A LOT going on in this Mini Movie. The Musical soundtrack takes us on a historic journey spotlighting many eras of the Gucci brand. The songs mention Gucci, but do more than that as they set the tone and vibe for the clothes to Shine.

Gucci Aria: It all starts at the Club Savoy, inspired by the famous London hotel where Gucci Founder Guccio Gucciworked as the Maitre d’ prior to moving back to Florence to open a Leather goods store in 1921. takes us on a journey filled with so many clothes, fabulous walls filled with high-end Mega dollars worth of multiple blinking lights and some over the top accoutrements. I thought I saw Gucci looking like Balenciago, the first time I watched this. By the third time I watched, It is Balenciago and Gucci all on one garment! Two Mega Brands merging legally on to one garment. These will sell-out before they even hit the stores.

The movie continues with some classic Gucci looks and colors. Many oriented towards the 1970’s wide collared, oversized aviators disco phase. Lots of bling and big brash chain linked Gucci Choker necklaces. Along with a subtle nod to Dapper Dan. The more you watch the film, the more you will see the underlying secrets and brash nods to many upon many “Easter Eggs”. Kinda fun to watch a few times. I ended up watching it 4x before writing this.

OH and the Finale…Wow! Pretty out there! The Savoy Club doors open to a freak filled outdoor theater extravaganza, so many times over the top. It’s close to moving into the H&M videos/Zoolander territory. Floating people, slow-motion birds and horses, dancing in the fields while wearing very expensive clothing, heart shaped purses complete with Aorta & Arteries. Here we get a bit of a Tom Ford feeling and the art of the High Fashion beyond reality theme. All while the soundtrack asks: Waiting for the Stars to Align. What the Future Holds? Pretty sure they are talking about the post pandemic world. They say it loud and proud with odes to Classic Gucci intertwined with the flare of the Gucci Future, bold, brash, picturesque. Leading us into a future like no other. Will it be the Roaring 20’s? Or will it be Board games and Tea? We shall see, no one knows, whatever is around the corner will be what you make it and what you believe is possible. Lets all try our best to make it an Unbelievably Sexy Celebration in Grande Gucci Style!

Photo by Godisable Jacob on Pexels.com

“…whatever is around the corner will be what you make it and what you believe is possible. Let’s all try our best to make it an Unbelievably Sexy Celebration in Grande Gucci Style”

-Scott Mackenzie-

Below are the Highlights and LowLights:

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Gucci Brand Music
• Rose Gold Balenciaga Choker Necklace + Gold Oversized Gucci Choker Necklace
• Silver, White, + Black Strobe Light Walls
• The White Suit-If you’re gonna wear John Travolta’s suit, it might as well be a Gucci
• Green Gucci Suit Green
• 1970s NYC vibe-Oversized Aviators and XL Shirt Collars, with a tad of Bell Bottoms
• Multi-Colored Jacket and Pants on White…I would like to see a still shot of these
• The Multi-Starred Black + White Suit
• Purple on Green…interesting color palette which works here
• The Savoy Work-Wear Jacket…It makes a quick appearance near the end
• That Square Brown Gucci Purse…Is it Retro Chic or brand New?
• The Surprise of Gucci x Balenciaga…Two x Mega Power House Brands in one Garment!

LOWLIGHTS

• The Leather Nipple Straps on Men
• Pink Furry Top
• Oversized Fur wristbands..Uhm? I don’t think so
• Furry Aqua Pants
• Beige
• Horse Helmets-Even if I had a motorcycle, I couldn’t wear this
• The Chin Straps that come with the silly Horse Helmets
• Dangling Silver Nose Rings…Maybe better as earrings?

So that you don’t have to Shazaam all the great Gucci Tunes, Here is the Set-LIst of the Gucci Aria. Soundtrack by Alessandro Michele. Mixed by Lawrence Rothman

1. Gucci Gang – Lil Pump
2. Green Gucci Suit Green – Rick Ross feat. Future
3. Gucci on My Bag – Mier
4. Gucci Coochie – Die Antwoord and Dita Von Teese

In the theme of Gucci x Balenciaga. Here’s a sneak peak at my upcoming Designer Brand Etoile Pants F/W 2021-A Street Meat Market Product by Streetzblog:

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  Front Designer Brand Etoile Pants F/W 2021 Street Meat Market

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  Back Designer Brand Etoile Pants F/W 2021 Street Meat Market

Supreme x Gucci x Vape-Ghost x Honolulu Police x Susan G. Komen HI x Unravel Project x Off-White x Louis Vuitton x Street Meat Market x Streetzblog

See you on the Streetz…blog and maybe soon on the Real Streetz!

Dark Defined Elegance

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Givenchy Fall Winter 2021/22

Sleek set, pulse pounding soundtrack, Laser Lights and Lots of Black colored clothes. This is my kind of Runway Show! Dark, Defined, Elegance from start till finish. Check out the Givenchy show below as they take you on a little trip into the deep, dark, cauldrons of precise, distinct, crisp French tailoring. Any show with this much black is a winner in my book. The soundtrack and light show exude elegance of the Rich and Famous. Kinda like a James Bond Spy movie told in 10 minutes via hot models and slick, dark, perfectly placed, layers of clothing. With some great accoutrements Like the Giant Gold chain and the fun triple back packs and spot on make-up and hair styling.

I would dig going to the after-party of this show. Then heading over to Hotel Costes for a night cap or two. Of course wearing my black double hoodie, tailored black trousers, with the giant Gold chain and the triple back pack filled with enough gear to stay out till the sun comes up.

Here are the Highlights and Low Lights of Givenchy

Highlights:

• The Vibe
• The techno music and laser light show. Nice build up adding on layers as the video progresses
• Lots of Black colored High-End tailored clothes
• The Double Hoody look
• The Triple bag back-pack
• Black on black on black. Loving the layers
• Vibrant oversized Giant gold chain
• That grey skin tight sheathe dress
• Any show with puddles is a winner. And black puddles even better!
• The silver flasks worn as Necklaces. Nothing says Lets Party like a flask flinging around a Hot Models neck

Lowlights:

• The Color brown. High-End French Luxury clothing should never be brown. The blacks, whites and a tad of taboo red do the trick quite nicely
• Some of that over the top bulky fur
• The fuzzy fur Mittens. Uhm?
• Main dislike is incorporating the knitted head-wear especially the creepy king crowns. Not even sure how they fit in to the HIgh-End tailored, dark, edgy, Spy Vibe. Could have used ultra High-End flat billed snapbacks. Maybe in black sleek satin or soft calfskin. Black logo on Black caps

See you on the Streetz…blog!

Helmut Lang-uid

Dope Music, Fluid Flow, & Comfy Clothes

Helmut Lang Runway Spring/Summer 2020

Helmut Lang Mens + Womens S/S 2020 Runway Show

Spacious, Stark blanc en blanc room with pops of colored clothing…fluidly floating thru Time and Space

scott Mackenzie-Streetzblog 2021

Spacious, Stark blanc en blanc room with pops of colored clothing…fluidly floating thru Time and Space. The Helmut Lang Runway show for the Spring/Summer 2020 season provides a nicely mixed soundtrack of techno tracks, with models perfectly choreographed to flow through the intersections of time and space provided.

Giving us high end luxury clothing that looks super comfortable to wear indoors and out. For both Women and Men. Trust me, Helmut Lang clothes are well constructed, made of high end fabrics, sewed to perfection. Flawless execution of fabrication deluxe. Below are the Highlights and Lowlights of the Helmut Lang Runway Show.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Music. Flow of it. Techno pulse of it. Vibe of it, to fit the Venue
• The multi pocketed Olive green cropped jackets
• The Comfy, Fluid, feel of the clothing. It all felt just so comfortable. Flowing, Swirling, thru the cross Trafficked runway
• The Army Green/Olive colors
• Use of straps (Both Men’s and Women’s)
• Silver on White
• Blanc en Blanc setting. Let the clothes do the walking and talking
• Bright Yellow. Yep, Even I liked the Color yellow popping through the stark white background
• The Light Green Men’s Suit
• Bright Yellow + Neon Pink Women’s dresses
• The Helmut Lang Quality of the Clothing

LOWLIGHTS

• Too much of the color White
• Not enough of the color Black. (Most of the best HL clothes are black or at least Gun Metal/Nickel colored)
• Da Vinyl clothing
• Beige/Brown. Two of the worst clothing colors other than White and Aqua
• The Faded blue Jeans Jacket and Pants. Just did not fit the rest of the higher end line of the Brand

Y-3, Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, Daniel Patrick and Chapter are streetzblog favorites featuring mostly darker shades of clothing, solidly made tailoring, to wear for many years to come. Over the last 3 years, Helmut Lang has become a go to favorite along the same lines as the brands listed above.

In December 2018, I had finished up a lunch with my friend at a super-good vegan joint near Union Square, NYC. I figured I’d head to Soho on Foot. Was a lot longer and colder than I expected. But, I landed at the Helmut Lang Sample sale. I do LOVE a good sample sale. And this was Perf for me. Almost the entire selection was my all time Favorite color-Black!

I was in that sample sale for like 2 hours. Trying on things, snagging & swooping upon shirts and pants as soon as someone put them back, and putting some back myself as I was on a Bit of a budget. Socializing, touching and feeling each and every piece of these high end quality items. And waiting for an XL or even a L to appear in the Hoodie section. I ended up with 5 items: Black Calf Skin Luxe-Life Kicks, Perfectly tailored Shorts, One T shirt and a pair of Gaberdine Trousers with crisp cool exquisite buttons on the bottoms of the legs. All at 70-80% off retail. Hanging out and purchasing these items, I became an instant fan of the Brand.

Here’s a picture of the Helmut Lang Luxe-Life Kicks. Super comfortable in the color black…of course:

Recently (January 2021) before going on my 90 day no shoes no clothes purchasing cleanse. In January 2021, I re-found Helmut Lang during their Surplus Sale. Was just like a NY Sample sale, yet on line. Not quite as much fun, no hanging with people, no touching the fabrics, no trying on clothes and shoes. But I did know the quality would be there. Scored some pretty dope pieces yet again. A long Sleeve Army Green Modal Cotton (The kind of cotton that is smooth and silky on the skin) A really nice pair of 3m striped pants (Black with silver stripe), a pair of Gun Metal Colored shorts similar to the sample sale, just a bit more fitting and of course a T shirt. Budget was under $225, retail was over $1050. SCORE!

Here’s the Helmut Lang F/W 2020 Pants with Silver 3M Stripe:

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  A view from my Condo

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  Bright Lights Big City

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  Helmut Lang Pants-Black x 3M Silver Stripes

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  Helmut Lang Pants Art

I’ve got my eyes on the New Helmut Strap joggers and the Strap knee length shorts. Hope they have enough stock for a sample or surplus sale on these 2 items. Maybe in May. And Maybe in May, we can shop in store again? Hope, the in-store experience comes back sooner than later. I really cant go anywhere nowadays, I like to touch the materials too much, and peruse for way longer than the usual customer. Thus, it’s way too risky of an endeavor for me in March 2020 thru May? 2021.

If you want to see the new goods or the current sale, check Helmut Lang out right here

See you on the Streetz…blog!

Rick Owens F/W 2021/22 PFW

Rick Rocks the Dystopian Athleisure Goth

Place: Venice, Italy Date of Show: January 2021 Name of Show: Gethsemane

Paris Fashion week is back and so is Rick Owens. Gone are the abstract art interpretations of his Menswear show. And Back, what he does best. Mostly Black colors with some Dark greys and bits of contrasting whites. This show is what you would expect to see if you thought of Rick Owens the Brand.

Models parading through the smoke and fire in the dystopian VIP line. Lots of nice black clothing. Some dark greys. Slits and slashes, bit of bondage. If you think Rick Owens, this is the show for you. Even the music, may have been repetitive but matched the mood of the clothing line and presentation perfectly. The music and show had a nice Cynamatic style, not to brash, precision flow, right on target.

Even had an ode to Dracula/Vampires with the bellowing black capes. This is how I prefer to see a Rick Owens show. Doing what he does best-Hi-End Dystopian Athleisure Goth. Vibe of show, clothes at show, music, all perfectly match the Rick Owens brand. Well done. A+ Four Stars.

Highlights:

• The gathering area prior to walking the Streetz/Runway. Dope like a VIP line for a nightclub
• The Smoke/the Fire/the Ambiance
• The Setting and Music worked well together
• The Black and Grey Colors of the Clothing. Rick’s best work is done in BLACK. He does not need to change that!
• Bondage straps
• Precision Holes and cuts in the fabrics
• Mask Wearing
• The Finale

I liked this show so much, there aren’t many Lowlights. But because it’s the streetzblog tradition to provide the two, here are the only lowlights.

Lowlights:

• The out of place abstract purple puffer jackets
• The white underwear (briefs) Just was not needed and didnt fit any of the rest of the show
• Chunky high heels for men. Just not a fan of them
• The light blue, once again did not fit with the rest, but there wasnt much of it, so its ok

Great Show and Glad that there was a Paris Fashion week 2021. Maybe next year, I can visit in person.

See you on the Streetz…blog

YY Fall/Winter 2021/22 Menswear PFW

Balenciaga wears their Sunglasses at Night!

Balenciaga Spring Summer 2021 Paris Fashion Week (October 5, 2020)

The World feels a bit better now with this show. Slick, nice music, real streetz, Paris at Nuit. Aaaah, feeling good today. Check out the Balenciaga S/S 2021 Runway show and the Streetzblog Hi-Lights and Low-Lights below:

Hi-Lights

• The dark streetz
• The womens wear especially the silver dress and bright outfit and the slashed/ripped dress
• The silver phone case necklaces
• The Music. Sunglasses at Night by Corey Hart. Sounds like it was remastered and a few extra beats added to the OG. Fits the vibe like a glove
• The Sunglasses. The Big Black versions!
• There’s a pair of shoes somewhere in here that has actual springs on them. Pro Tip: They are called the X-Pander, the latest and greatest street sneaks from Balenciaga.
• The Setting-Paris and the Eiffel Tower
• The Yellow E’s Good on Halloween Smiley Face T
• The crisp cool lighting and Electro vibe of the video

The Low-Lights

• Some of the guys clothes-looked too 1990’s and cut off jeans?
• No Masks
• Need a close up of the sneakers with the springs
• More Post Apocalyptic. Has the setting the music the vibe, but not the clothes
• Faded Jeans
• Bulky parkas and long trenches

Also, be sure to look over the credits at the end. Very detailed information about social distancing, sanitizing and even info on how the snacks and food was served and eaten.

Note for later: The Date on this show is October 5, 2020.

We are now really and Officially in the Blade Runner/Mad Max reality world. The FUTURE is NOT later, it is NOW.

See you on the Streetz!