Burberry Goes Global with 3D Runway Show
February 08th, 2010 @ 00:45 AM
Hermes 2009 Sales Up 8.5 Percent; Wholesale Biz Plummets
February 05th, 2010 @ 00:34 AM
LVMH Suffers Declines in 2009 Sales and Profits
February 04th, 2010 @ 4:05 PM
Esprit Turnover and Profit Dips; Cash Hoard Leaps
February 03rd, 2010 @ 10:34 AM
The Body Comes to Paris
February 02nd, 2010 @ 11:49 AM
Etam and Natalia Hit Paris Catwalk
January 27th, 2010 @ 00:00 AM
Altuzarra, Peter Hidalgo Tie as Top Women's Designers at Rising Star Awards
January 26th, 2010 @ 12:23 AM
Armani Accuses Dior of Lacking Respect
January 20th, 2010 @ 12:04 AM
Sarah Jessica Parker Signs On to Halston
January 14th, 2010 @ 4:00 PM
Milan Prosecutors File Burani Bankruptcy Request
January 12th, 2010 @ 10:34 AM
Ecco Domani Names Foreign-Born Talent
January 04th, 2010 @ 6:01 PM
Eco Beauty Genius Yves Rocher Dead at 79
December 28th, 2009 @ 00:21 AM
Paris Stepping Up Pre-Collection Market
December 18th, 2009 @ 12:19 AM
Ungaro CEO Moufarrige Quits House
December 16th, 2009 @ 11:00 AM
Tom Ford’s "A Single Man"
December 15th, 2009 @ 10:27 AM
Gucci Masters – From Nightclub to Paddock
December 14th, 2009 @ 00:58 AM
New Gen Picks: Katrantzou and Pilotto
December 11th, 2009 @ 10:19 AM
Hilfiger Inks Deal with Debt Laden Safilo
December 11th, 2009 @ 00:00 AM
Bailey Wins BFC Designer of the Year Award
December 10th, 2009 @ 00:08 AM
Martin Margiela Leaves The Company He Founded
December 09th, 2009 @ 10:21 AM
|
|
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.
|
