Paris Fashion Week A/W 2011: The Balmain Pattern

I decided to wait a bit with doing this post, as I expected that the fashion blogosphere was filled with the news of Balmain's new collection. On Thursday, Balmain showed its A/W 2011 collection during Paris Fashion Week. I would write Christophe Decarnin for Balmain, but rumour has it that Decarnin was not part of the designing process for this collection. Instead, it is said that stylist Melanie Ward (known for working for Helmut Lang) created it together with Balmain's team. And where is Decarnin? Reportedly, staying in a mental hospital since mid-January, the reason being a nervous breakdown.

Still, I see a lot of Decarnin in the Fall 2011 collection. Especially in the pattern that was used for some of the dresses, skirts and jackets. The whole collection received mixed reviews, something I can understand. The pattern is wonderful, and I would love to own one of those dresses (or all three!). At the same time, one can't help but ask: how long can a fashion house rely on the embellished jacket + skinny pants combination?

Source: style.it + Fashionologie

Daria Werbowy in Balmain for Vogue Paris 

If there is one thing that I never grow tired of when it comes to fashion, it is a great of shot of Daria Werbowy posing for Vogue Paris while wearing Balmain. In a way this combination is getting slightly predictable, but when it comes to it I can look through my fingers as it always turns out excellent. It's like Daria was born to wear Balmain, and when this is featured in Vogue Paris it becomes ten times more chic. Oui?

What do you think about the combination Daria, Balmain and Vogue Paris?
	It's excellent!
	It's boring!
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Source: TFS

A Friday Full of Sequins

On Monday, the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards was held in London. Natalia Vodianova appeared in this incredible sequined piece from the Balmain fall 2010 collection, making her the sparkling star of the evening. As a big fan of Natalia, Balmain and sequins, it's no surprise that this is combination that makes me very happy and inspired. It's also a great inspiration for the festive season which is just around the corner, and I'd like to find a dress like this to wear to some of the Christmas parties. Probably easier said than done!

Natalia Vodianova is also featured on the cover of the December issue of Harper's Bazaar, wearing Balmain. Many of the magazines December issues are obsessed with sequins at the moment, like UK Elle with Anne Hathaway in Balmain and Alessandra Ambrosio in Pucci on the cover of Vogue Nippon. I'm loving it!

Source: tfs

Balmain of The Moment

It's been a fun and busy weekend here in New York City, crisp sunny weather, streets laden with coffee shops, Halloween costumes which often looked like regular Times Square fare, and of course always up to date street fashions which you swear you will emulate next week in your own City. In the meantime I've had less time to RedPoppy and read some of my favorite blogs **sigh**, so let's get to it and take a look at 'Fashion's Dress of the Moment' for the holiday season (according to Grazia): Presenting Balmain's gold mini dress in all its deep V, angular shouldered, and slit to there glory...Do you think this dress deserves all the hype? Would love to hear your thoughts...xoxo

Images courtesy of Grazia

Paris Fashion Week: Balmain Spring 2011

The Spring 2011 collection of Balmain features jeans and studded jackets with an American touch. Check some of the pieces from Balmain Spring 2011 collection.

Balmain, A.F. Vandervorst, Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2011: Paris Fashion Week Continues...

Paris Fashion Week continues its dark hold on Spring 2011 with some more stark, graphic, and 'gladiatorial' collections. In lieu of feathery fabrics and light pastels we have some fab chainmail touches, expertly tailored leather, and sharp geometric shapes with nary a hint of Spring neutrality. And I will say this about Balmain's line up: 1. It looks the same as last year's 2. Regardless of how many safety pins (which you can get at Duane Reade for $2.75 a pack) were used in the making of those expertly ripped 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein' shirts and pants, you can bet the price tags will still be upwards of $15,000...

BALMAIN












A.F. VANDEVORST









ANN DEMEULEMEESTER






Images courtesy of Style.com

Balmainia

Finally today arrived; the day that Balmain showed its S/S 2011 collection. Since I adore Balmain, my expectations were many and very high. Unfortunately, I must say that I was slightly disappointed when I sat down in front of my computer and eagerly looked through the looks created by Christophe Decarnin. The last seasons, Balmain have produced collections that women have gone crazy over, and the term "Balmania" hasn't occurred without good reason. Still, I had expected more this season as I feel that this is something we have seen before. I believe that such a talented designer as Decarnin, who turned the Balmain fashion house around a few season ago, should take his collections even further and not rely too much on the previous collections he has made. But enough with the moral talk, and on to the good stuff - the jackets were stunning, oui? Definitely a great DIY project.

Source: picapp.com

The French Wearing French


I am a big fan of contrasts, and that is why I think Clemence Poesy looks great in this outfit. The t-shirt, jeans and boots makes this initially a grunge otufit, but the oh-so fabulous Balmain jacket from the fall '11 season brings the outfit to a whole different level. You wouldn't think that uch an exquisite, beautiful piece of work could work with such everyday clothes, but in fact that is what makes this so brilliant. 


How would you wear this sequined Balmain piece if you owned it?

Source: picapp

Fashion Style: Jessica Alba in Balmain

Jessica Alba appeared at the LA Premiere for “Machete” in a black and gold sequined zigzag patterned Balmain mini dress. She also paired it with Christian Louboutin Tinazata 120 cut-out boots.