Blending Fashion and Sculpture at Berlin Fashion Week! Olivia Ballard, the rising star of the German fashion circuit, continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions with her latest collection showcased at Berlin Fashion Week. Following the resounding success of her previous ‘AT DUSK – F/W 2023’ runway show, Ballard explores the intricate relationship between the body, form, and individuality in her Spring/Summer 2024 Collection.
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All photos by @Haydon Perrior for BFW
In a bold move, Ballard takes inspiration from the concept of in-betweenness, delving into the realm of materiality. The SS24 Collection goes beyond the realm of ready-to-wear garments, blurring the lines between fashion and sculpture. This transformative exploration breaks down the barriers between the human model and the sculptural elements, merging runway and performance into a captivating spectacle.
This season, Ballard invites us to embrace contemplation, slowness, and reinvention in a new location, Flussbad. Once a vibrant Weimar-era public bathing facility, Flussbad has been revitalized as a creative campus, offering a diverse array of spaces. This unique setting serves as the backdrop for Ballard’s show, juxtaposed with the garden performing arts space conceived by neo-brutalist master Arno Branlhuber. Stretching across a 15-meter table, set for an exquisite dinner party reception, this show blurs the boundaries between space and design, individual and environment.
At the heart of the SS24 Collection lies a curated table set piece designed collaboratively by Matthew Bianchi, Be Assembly, and Table Farrah. This centrepiece enhances and elevates the entire experience, weaving together elements of art, design, and fashion seamlessly.
Adding an unexpected twist to the show, the New York-based post-punk sensation cumgirl8 graced the stage, defying the conventions of music, fashion, publication, and film. Their avant-garde sounds provided the perfect soundtrack to complement Ballard’s boundary-pushing designs.
Established in 2020, the eponymous label Olivia Ballard has rapidly gained recognition within the fashion industry. The 27-year-old designer’s meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful material choices result in garments that symbolize the convergence of diverse physicalities and identities. Through her creations, Ballard continuously challenges conventional beauty standards and questions the impact of consumerism.
