Balmain, Christophe Decarnin parting ways

[Deleted member 7575]

I loved his earlier work at Balmain. Clean, simple and timeless. Shame he got so repetitive.

His first couple collections were amazing, but they quickly took a turn...

Maybe the past several seasons have been a product of the management rather than Decarnin's real creative vision? What exactly have we been looking at these last couple years? How has Decarnin had to compromise? Maybe this is the real issue, if so, I can't blame him for wanting to distance himself. Reminds me of when Valli was at Ungaro...

 

[kiseki]

clothes are clothes,

I hope he gets well soon!

 

[MyNameIs]

^Exactly. Hope he bets better with or without Balmain.

Truth be told though, he did put Balmain (back?) on the map.

 

[Heroin_Chic]

I`ll miss his rocking designs!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Wow, I am surprised!! Sounds to me like a case of overblown ego killing the goose that's laying the golden eggs ... won't be the first time or the last, I suppose.

 

[get fashion]

I wish him the best.

Buti hope Balmain still be rocker but more elegant (and better cuts please)

 

[JuiceMajor]

Melanie Ward woud be brilliant!

 

[thedanae]

Front page on tFS today: Balmain and Christophe Decarnin Part Ways (Forum Buzz)

 

[agee]

Thus far I am leaning towards Rick Owens as the successor, and I wish Christophe Decarnin well in his future endeavors.

 

[Lena]

wasn't a fan of those ripped/military collections but loved his big shoulder jackets

wonder who will replace him

 

[Street_a_Licious]

Thus far I am leaning towards Rick Owens as the successor, and I wish Christophe Decarnin well in his future endeavors.

hmmm

tbh, a mixture of Decarnin and Owens would be.... orgasmic...

 

[kowie]

This makes me happy!! not Decarnins health, but a new creative director for Balmain

 

[Tentacl Ventricl]

Wow, I am surprised!! Sounds to me like a case of overblown ego killing the goose that's laying the golden eggs ... won't be the first time or the last, I suppose.

Exactly. And I don't know why so many of you are focusing on what will become of brand Balmain. The phenomenen of Balmainia is all about what Decarnin has done. Stuff the brand of itself. It was in the doldrums pre Decarnin and there again in all likelihood it shall now return.

The SS11 was kind of prophetic. Not only the culmination of a 5 year gradual process of 'de-ladying' a tired old backwater brand but the 'My Way' soundtrack as epitaph. Of course, given Christophe's ability to ring a till, should he wish to then he'll return.

As for the brand - back in early March I wanted to introduce a friend to more runway shows and chose Balmain. It was like, oh, umm, well, it's usually better than that. The magic was already gone.

 

[CrisGalaxy]

Raf Simons... imagine the female version of his Raf Simons Man at Balmain...

 

[Zazie]

Exactly. And I don't know why so many of you are focusing on what will become of brand Balmain. The phenomenen of Balmainia is all about what Decarnin has done. Stuff the brand of itself. It was in the doldrums pre Decarnin and there again in all likelihood it shall now return.

The SS11 was kind of prophetic. Not only the culmination of a 5 year gradual process of 'de-ladying' a tired old backwater brand but the 'My Way' soundtrack as epitaph. Of course, given Christophe's ability to ring a till, should he wish to then he'll return.

As for the brand - back in early March I wanted to introduce a friend to more runway shows and chose Balmain. It was like, oh, umm, well, it's usually better than that. The magic was already gone.

Agreed. He needed to up the ante, but his formula was working, though getting tired. It needn't be a parting of ways, as it was working very well.

 

[thejarc]

Raf Simons... imagine the female version of his Raf Simons Man at Balmain...

Are you talking about Decarins successor? I mean... Raf seems to be happy at Jil Sander.

 

[mikeijames]

^and something tells me that balmain position might not pay as well as the jil sander gig. the raf simons rumor about him decamping to ysl makes more sense.

 

[ultramarine]

What? Then whats gonna happen to Sander?

Eeeek! I hate the musical-designer-house-chairs game.

Whats going to happen to Decarnin now? Is he gonna keep on designing?

Im just wondering

 

[Tentacl Ventricl]

Agreed. He needed to up the ante, but his formula was working, though getting tired. It needn't be a parting of ways, as it was working very well.

I meant return to designing, either for another house or an eponymous line. Not return to Balmain. Because there, clearly, there does need to be a parting of the ways. It's almost beyond belief that despite almost unrivalled commercial success, the moneymen have seen fit to raise 'creative differences' which have driven DeCarnin to the edge. You'd think they might pragmatically apply an 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' mentality. I guess we should never be surprised at the foolishness of the suits.

 

[agee]

I think that Christophe Decarnin is talented and I am rooting for him, but Balmainia was a trend and he has not really proven himself as lead designer for a major label in a sustained way, so I agree with the point that he needed to up the ante / step up his game. The real difficulty in doing this, and it is understandable that it can take its toll on someone mentally and physically, is that the initial success created a demand and that demand had to be met through production, distribution and marketing, which has a cost, and oftentimes fixed costs that have to "serviced," which puts even more pressure on the designer to be commercially successful in future collections. I really feel for designers / design houses that do not have accessories and / or cosmetics as a significant part of their revenues, because that can serve as a cushion for the changes that are a necessary part of sustaining relevancy.