Balmain’s Espion Frame Stole The Show At Their Menswear Show

When it comes to blurring the lines between old-world haute couture and the bold rebelliousness of the future, one designer instantly springs to mind its Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing. Well, if there was one item to embody his boundary-pushing ethos it would be the Parisian brand's Espion frames, which played a starring role in the A/W 24 menswear collection. As the perfect pairing to the collection’s sharp tailoring and bold play with colour, the sculptural design pays homage to the maison’s haute couture history and Rousteing’s rebelliousness.

The oversized, wrap-around frames were inspired by styles made popular by hip-hop. Rousteing has long used his role as the creative head of Balmain to reference hip-hop. For A/W 24 this meant imbuing the collection with accessories like drugs and grills. As the icing on the cake, the Espion frames embody the VIP attitude of hip-hop’s biggest stars who simultaneously dress to be seen while avoiding the paparazzi.

The design was created in collaboration with Akoni Group's eyewear artisans and seamlessly merges Balmain's luxury aesthetics with sporty elements. Noteworthy features include solid floating hinges connecting the temples and frame face, along with a removable and interchangeable nose piece, adding an extra layer of customisation for the wearer.

Already a bold silhouette, the colour options are understandably more muted with only three options, black and gold, brown, and white. Reflecting the exclusivity of the world of hip-hop, only 300 frames of each colour are said to be available. We can’t wait to see which superstar is going to rock them first.