Lanvin Partnering with H&M
September 02nd, 2010 @ 00:54 AM
Coach Opens Ambitiously in Paris
September 01st, 2010 @ 00:26 AM
Lacoste Names Oliveira Baptista New Artistic Director
August 31st, 2010 @ 1:57 PM
LVMH Heads South in Latest Acquisition
July 02nd, 2010 @ 00:12 AM
Hakaan Wins Andam Award
June 30th, 2010 @ 11:05 AM
Net-a-Porter Gets Masculine
June 10th, 2010 @ 8:02 PM
Brunello Cucinelli Named Italian Entrepreneur Of The Year
June 04th, 2010 @ 4:16 PM
Hermes Replaces Gaultier With Lemaire
May 26th, 2010 @ 12:56 AM
Burberry Turnover Rises 7 Percent in Last 12 Months
May 26th, 2010 @ 00:47 AM
Ungaro Names Gilles Deacon Creative Director
May 25th, 2010 @ 3:47 PM
Aquascutum Hires Sykes as Design Director
May 17th, 2010 @ 00:07 AM
Hermes Scores 18.5 Percent Rise in First Quarter Turnover
May 06th, 2010 @ 00:49 AM
Rodarte to Create "Breathless"-Inspired T-Shirts for Film's 50th Anniversary
May 05th, 2010 @ 6:05 PM
Gen Art to Shut Down After 16 Years
May 05th, 2010 @ 5:40 PM
Jean-Louis Dumas Dead at 72
May 03rd, 2010 @ 00:46 AM
Armani Opens Debut Hotel in Dubai
April 28th, 2010 @ 4:39 PM
Japanese/Chinese Bank Buys Stake in Costume National
April 22nd, 2010 @ 12:42 AM
Archs Out at Ungaro, Deacon Rumored In
April 21st, 2010 @ 11:53 AM
Vera Wang and David's Bridal Announce New Collaboration
April 20th, 2010 @ 2:43 PM
Burberry Turnover Rises 7 Percent in Latest Half Year
April 20th, 2010 @ 00:50 AM
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Balmain: Returning Heroines Rule
Godfrey Deeny
October 01st, 2009 @ 4:02 PM - Paris
Balmain, the hottest and hippest show in fashion today, staged a Spring 2010 ready-to-wear show that was a returning heroine moment of great zest and epic edgy beauty.
Balmain’s designer Christophe Decarnin kicked off the show with the best opening look of the month-long season of some 400 runway shows that began on Thursday, Sept. 10 in Manhattan and ends next Thursday, Oct. 8 in Paris. The warrior babe look, composed of a Napoleonic frock coat, tattered and made in green cotton with worn epaulettes and bullion, paired with a destroyed T-shirt and tight leather leggings, was simply sensational – so good an opener the members of the front row almost audibly drew in their breaths.
The follow-up, a leotard dress in golden chain mail with twisted chiffon hips, set the mood for a rip-roaring display of haute rock-and-military mode.
Staged in the Grand Hotel before an audience featuring Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and Rihanna, the show has a high energy moment of sexy, yet always faintly wrecked, luxury.
Decarnin’s standout look, however, was a technically audacious all-black crocodile frock coat, made of a large single skin, so raw it featured cut out eyes at the back.
It’s sometimes said of this designer that he has a limited range, and it’s true his oeuvre is pretty tight, but the addition of striking tie-dye chain mail fabrics and the sheer chutzpah of his twisting draping showed he has plenty of creative tricks up his sleeve.
“It’s very in keeping with my style. But a bit more military and always a little boyish,” Decarnin said.
Under Decarnin, Balmain has become the most copied collection in fashion, and after this latest performance, once can see why. In a final compliment to this designer and collection, you could tell the models loved the clothes, for as they turned to head back on the U-shaped catwalk, they all could see themselves in hotel ballroom’s huge mirrors. And, you know what? Every one of them smiled at how good they all looked.
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