New In - Balmain Scarf

Two thousand and fourteen has arrived and ushered in the coldest winter New York City has seen in some 30 years. Media outlets around the world are calling it a "polar vortex" and I can personally assure you that it is as cold as it sounds. I found this to be as good of time as any to add some cold weather essentials to my accessories collection. Naturally, I opted for Balmain. In a bid to face the cold and brave the elements, I purchased this PRINTED CASHMERE BLEND SCARF from the 2013 Pre Fall collection. In spite of the arctic chill, I've chosen to stay fashionably warm.

The SCARF ITSELF IS QUITE LARGE measuring nearly 54 inches by 54 inches and features black, gold scallops, and shades of blue and pink. It is a printed scene with birds, koi, and bamboo that is a nod to Olivier Rousteing's referenced inspiration of Diana Vreeland and her oriental screens. This SCARF IS OF A MEDIUM WEIGHT and will serve me through multiple seasons. That makes it a great investment; but of course, Balmain is always a great investment.

PHOTOS BY AAP 

Balmain Fall / Winter 2012

So I read on nymag.comthat for the Balmain 2012 Fall/Winter collection, Olivier Rousteing was inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's Faberge egg. Well, I don't know much about Faberge eggs, but I know I LOVED this collection. The entire show was intricate beading in excess, heavy embroidery, and chunky gold metal belts (yet another item for the list). The long sleeve, high neck, and mini skirt combo is really working for me. So are the high waisted skirts. I'll add a pair of ankle boots, skip the jewelry, and I'm off. I'm not sure where I'd be going, but it wouldn't matter. I'd be wearing Balmain. It's all a kind of flashy, bijou encrusted exoskeleton... Fabulous. But, I have to ask myself: Am I cool enough to wear Balmain? Is anybody? Why, yes. Yes I am.

PHOTOS VIA STYLE.COM