Olivier Rousteing was approached to team up with Victoria's Secret "a year ago".
Olivier Rousteing
The 32-year-old fashion designer, who is the creative director of Balmain, was asked to join forces with the lingerie giant to create the VS x Balmain collection for the brand's annual fashion show, which took place at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China, on Monday (20.11.17), over 12 months ago.
Speaking about the collaboration to Vogue.co.uk, he said: "The Victoria's Secret team have been invited to my Balmain shows many times, and I have also been a guest on the VS front row. A year ago they came to me and said, 'Why don't we do something together?'"
Rousteing has revealed both him and the creative team at the fashion house decided on the Punk theme for his segment, which was "really new" for him.
He said: "We came up with the punk theme, which is something really new for me."
Although Rousteing was unfamiliar with the theme, he carried out thorough research, and channelled ideas he uses for his own Balmain pieces.
He continued: "There are so many reference points for punk, from books to editorials in Vogue. I regrouped a lot of ideas I had in my mind for Balmain, as I channel a lot of rock 'n' roll in the collections."
But on top of this, Rousteing also spoke with the models gracing the runway to further inspire his designs.
He said: "I always listen to my girls. They all come from different worlds, different backgrounds, different ethnicities and different agencies. Some have kids, some are new faces. I learn from every one of them."
And Rousteing's "favourite piece" he created was the "Michael Jackson-inspired" studded leather jacket Romee Strijd adorned in the showcase.
He said: " My favourite piece is the Michael Jackson-inspired jacket Romee Strijd will wear in the show, depending on whether the rotation changes."
This year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will air on November 28 on CBS in the US and will be available to view first in the UK & Ireland on Hayu, the reality on demand channel, from 7am on November 29.
Rousteing's capsule collection with the label will be available to buy from December 6.
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