Model of the Season: Karlie Kloss

The model of the season is sixteen-year-old Supermodel Karlie Kloss who has definitely proved to everyone that she is the current sensation in every major fashion capital. Attending all the major fashion weeks that started in Paris with the Haute Couture, New York, London, Milan and a return to Paris for the ready to wear collections. She has managed to walk in almost 70 shows and also given the honor of opening and closing a great number of them. The crucial foundations for her success are genetics and her trademark walk. Kloss is a professional ballet dancer and she brings her grace and composure to the runways. A walk that has editors, photographers and designers excited giving her immense popularity. This is her third season working fashion week, not to mention during her first season she was an exclusive at Calvin Klein.

Kloss success has followed her into editorials, ad campaigns and magazine covers. She was recently shot by Steven Klein for the current Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign. Another impressive ad campaign was from Bulgari which she was photographed by Mario Sorrenti. Her editorials are seen in the pages of American Vogue, Vogue Italia, British Vogue, Vogue Germany, Vogue China, Numero, Numero Tokyo, 10 Magazine, I-D Magazine, Russh and Interview. She can be seen on the covers of American Teen Vogue, 10 Magazine, French Revue des Modes, Russh and Vogue Russia.

This young Supermodel talent is just the ordinary teenager from St. Louis, Missouri where she is currently a Sophomore in High School. Scouted at a local charity show in Missouri she was picked up by the Elite Model Management where her career took off. Last year she switched to Next Model Management the agency that currently represents her in New York, London, Milan and Paris.

Karlie Kloss is the new sensation in fashion and expect to see more of her in the future. She is a favorite model of many prestigious photographers, designers and editors. Kloss is an immense talent in fashion and is here to stay. -Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.

































Photos: Courtesy of Next Model Management and Luca Bruno

Balmain F/W 09

A pleasurable rocker chic presentation at Balmain. Clever French designer Christophe Decarnin presented an aggressive rocker chic collection for Balmain. This rocker look was completed with the Balmain brilliance in a French posh couture finish. He was also able to infuse the ideas of the late Pierre Balmain and give it a modern edge that is vastly appealing. The idea of rocker chic was apparent in the leather fabrics that were used in the pagoda shouldered motorcycle jacket, pelmet dresses and it was also attached on a few other looks. There was also a great love for an affluent amount of crystal and diamante embellishments on a vast number of pieces giving it that rocker glam impression. The idea was obvious with influences from the 1980’s in the pagoda shouldered jackets, micro dresses, bustier tops and trousers. At the moment, Decarnin is the most copied designer in the world today obvious by his amazing appeal that he infuses into the Balmain label. Rocker chic infused with the ideas of the late Pierre Balmain gives this collection remarkable elegance with an edge.

The Balmain show was the event of the season in Paris. The entrance to the venue was completely crowded with fan, media and paparazzi. There was no celebrities in sight and this event was all about the significant people in fashion and the hip fashion crowd that was all in attendance. The venue was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel swimming pool, that was covered for the staging of the runway, it was incredible. The setting gave off a ambiance from Gianni Versace, in fact it was the same venue that the late Gianni Versace held his couture shows. The soundtrack for the show was a 1980’s disco themed with Donna Summer and Saturday Night Fever. Model Anna Selezneva opened the show in a sparkling black blouse with the Decarnin trademark pagoda shoulders and the new charcoal draped harem pants. The pagoda shouldered signature shape was also seen in a lot of dresses, shirts and jackets. The color palette was entirely in black, white, silver and with splashes of techno blue. There was a good dose of party dresses that were in leather and sparkling fabrics.

The 1980’s inspired cuffed suede boots with silver buckles supplemented various looks instilling a rock and roll edge. There was the occasional silver studded biker-belts that were added to a few looks.

The favorite pieces in the collection were the new Balmain skinny jeans in black denim that were cut off above the ankle perfectly fitting the models legs. The rocker party dresses in techno blue crystal embellished sparkling fabrics were very appealing and perfect for the rocker chic party girl. The Decarnin trademark pagoda shoulders were also marvelous in the leather biker and the tuxedo jacket.

Christophe Decarnin has substantiated the reason why he is the most coveted designer in the world. He infuses his fashion forward ideas with the quality and elegance from Balmain to create a fantastic collection. The Balmain girl is ready to have fun and enjoy her youth in a coveted piece by Decarnin. -Brent Billiman, Paris, France.



Luca Bruno Photo: Model Angela Lindvall for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Carmen Kass for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Erin Wasson for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Magdalena Frackowiak for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Natasha Poly for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Lily Donaldson for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Isabeli Fontana for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anja Rubik for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Lara Stone for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anna Jagodzinska for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Natasa Vojnovic for Balmain F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Sasha Pivovarova for Balmain F/W 09

Balenciaga F/W 09

A luxurious exotic exploration at Balenciaga. Illustrious French designer Nicolas Ghesquière presented a glamorous collection for Balenciaga. This collection was entirely new direction from last season’s sci-fi presentation and this time around it was all about opulence and glamour. Ghesquière was simply inspired by a holiday vacation to India where he discovered his love for satin and draping, a fabric and a technique that he has never explored. The skirts were inspired by the ultra conservative sari with draping that was very voluminous and short unlike the overly covered traditional garment. The silhouette of the clothes had a 1980’s sensation with pieces like a printed satin blouse with wide shoulders that was open to a lace bandeau. He also managed to invoke the Cristobal Balenciaga archives from the 1950’s with the wrap and draped dresses in floral prints, spots and polka dots. The draped trousers that rippled delicately at the hips and tapered at the legs was a nod to the late Yves Saint Laurent, a designer that has been compared with due to his ability to feel and shape fashion. The decadent impression was evident with the draping of luxurious satin, velvet and printed silk fabrics that gave this collection an sumptuous and glamorous appeal.

The show was held in a salon at the Hotel de Crillon which is located at the north end of Place de la Concorde and at the foot of the Champs-Élysées. A completely different venue from the ordinary location at the Balenciaga Head Quarters on the Left Bank. The sparkling sunlight emitted light threw windows, floor to ceiling, and reflected the light marble floors giving it a pragmatic touch. The soundtrack for the show was from French musician Serge Gainsbourg. Model Liya Kebede opened the show in a grey sparkling Manharani top with a black and draped black and silver satin short skirt. The draped satin skirts came in various colors of light blue, black, brown, beige, pink, silver, emerald, navy and lilac. Devore velvet was used in the draped dresses and in the blouses with defined shoulders and plunging necklines.

Every season Ghesquière always gives us the shoe of the season and with no exception he offered an amazing fishnet covered platforms embellished with ribbons. On some footwear there was heels with unique marble prints from the Balenciaga archives. There were also the striking pair of spotted stockings that finished off each look with a glamorous sensation.

The admired pieces in the collection were the incredibly draped satin skirts that came in a variety of colors. Another look that was very appealing was the floral print silk dresses that were prints from the Cristobal Balenciaga archives. A must have piece was the gorgeous tailored black tuxedo jacket was impeccable.

Nicolas Ghesquière has polished the Balenciaga brand and supplemented a pleasant amount of sophistication to create this marvelous collection. The Balenciaga women this next winter season is ready to enjoy a pleasant amount of glamour and luxury. -Brent Billiman, Paris, France.



Luca Bruno Photo: Model Siri Tollerød for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Sigrid Agren for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Liu Wen for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Ali Stephens for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anabela Belikova for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Magdalena Frackowiak for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Natasha Poly for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Hanne Gaby Odiele for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Karmen Pedaru for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Liya Kebede for Balenciaga F/W 09


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Iris Strubegger for Balenciaga F/W 09