Versus Hires Jonathan Anderson
November 29th, 2012 @ 11:04 AM
Cacharel Unveils New CEO, in Major Corporate Revamp
November 21st, 2012 @ 00:56 AM
Kane Drops Out of Versus in Major Shake-up
November 20th, 2012 @ 10:14 AM
Pucci’s Madison Avenue Store Debuts Massive Expansion
November 16th, 2012 @ 00:35 AM
Ghesquière Departs Balenciaga in Major Surprise
November 05th, 2012 @ 00:43 AM
Sao Paulo Fashion Week: Between Optimism and Fear
November 02nd, 2012 @ 00:28 AM
London Unveils Men’s Season Schedule
November 01st, 2012 @ 00:36 AM
Azzaro Releases Castello Branco
October 25th, 2012 @ 00:18 AM
Revenue Soars 22 Percent at LVMH in First Three Quarters
October 16th, 2012 @ 00:18 AM
Rykiel Names Geraldo da Conceicao Artistic Director
September 21st, 2012 @ 8:12 PM
Brazil’s New London Pop-Up
September 21st, 2012 @ 7:20 PM
McQueen Men Returning Home to London
September 12th, 2012 @ 7:19 PM
Roitfeld, Mum and Son, Open in Brazil
September 07th, 2012 @ 00:54 AM
Berluti Opens to Big-Time Business in London
September 06th, 2012 @ 3:27 PM
Stefano Pilati Back with a Bang at Zegna
September 05th, 2012 @ 7:10 PM
Hugo Boss Wows in Berlin, Plans for New York
July 06th, 2012 @ 00:17 AM
Salvatore Ferragamo: Crusin’ the Louvre
June 13th, 2012 @ 11:04 AM
Michel Klein Gains New Backer; Launches Sunglass Collection
June 13th, 2012 @ 00:48 AM
Sykes Jettisoned by Aquascutum; Maurer In at Rabanne
June 06th, 2012 @ 00:18 AM
Armani Conquers China, Chastises the Pope
June 01st, 2012 @ 11:53 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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