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