Next stop #HMBalmanation: Balmain and H&M threw the most epic launch party

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Balmain X H&M Event
Balmain X H&M Event


Each H&M collaboration has its moment in the sun, and they've all been incredible (there was a fleeting moment in 2004 when you could own something created by Karl Lagerfeld that didn't cost both arms and a leg) -- but we're not sure they've been celebrated quite like the Balmain collection was. We're talking dancers, supermodels, Kardashians and the Backstreet Boys.

The security surrounding Tuesday night's event was intense -- and it all started bright and early. When we stopped by to chat with Olivier Rousteing backstage in the afternoon before the event, there was already caution tape and security guards everywhere. And yes, those guards were dressed to the nines. Would you expect anything less?

BALMAIN X H&M Collection Launch - Party
BALMAIN X H&M Collection Launch - Party


Olivier was so cool, calm and collected when we spoke with him, you'd never think there was an epically choreographed production set to commence in a few short hours.

7 pm kicked off with cocktails and the fashion crowd mingling among towering photos of Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Located on Wall Street near the Stock Exchange, the entire room boasted "Next stop, #HMBalmaination."

Click through below to see the full collection:


This wasn't your typical fashion show, it was a perfectly choreographed work of art that started with a promotional video starring Kendall Jenner, fierce dancers taking over the runway, and killer music. We were already 10 minutes into the production before the runway show actually started (with Kendall stomping her heart out in the front, naturally) and it was just getting started.



Each piece honored the Balmain aesthetic, keeping the glitz and glamour intact. "We tried to not compromise anything," Rousteing explained, "I just changed some techniques, changed some beading, changed the fabrics, but made sure the aesthetic is still the same, that you feel the Balmain DNA."

Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid at the BALMAIN X H&M Collection
Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid at the BALMAIN X H&M Collection

If you didn't know the names of every model that walked in the show, you'll at least recognize almost all of their faces. It reinforces the love Rousteing's "Balmain Army" has for him that Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Jourdan Dunn, Alessandra Ambrosio and more famous faces flocked to his runway -- and stayed to party the night away.

The final moment that really pushed it all over the edge? When childhood came knocking on our front door and the Backstreet Boys came out to perform FIVE SONGS.

Fashion editors and influencers alike dissolved into fangirls as we rocked out to "Backstreet's Back" and "I Want it That Way" while Kendall and Gigi -- who are the definition of #FriendshipGoals -- danced in the front row.

More style on AOL.com:
Olivier Rousteing on Balmain x HM: 'It's like a firework'
The glamorous H&MxBalmain lookbook is here!
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