Balmain F/W 10.11 Paris

[mikeijames]

I think there's a clear difference between a signature look and using it as a template to produce a different collection season to season as oppose to literally taking the same dress and just beading it differently; making it seem like its just an extension of the past season.

ok, i'll bite. what about the pantsuits? is that something he's done every season? also, as much as i want to decry the use of the "same dress" in this collection, it's more appalling that we've seen it pop up on at least five different designers' catwalks this season when it's a BOLD balmain signature item.

Everyone knows Balmain and its price tag; so I wouldn't be surprised if everyone looks at a woman wearing it in a party and gets all the looks. I highly doubt people will say "oh she looks beautiful". They're probably thinking "wow look at that Balmain".

is it about the price tag? partly. but jackets like that aren't commonplace. dresses like that aren't commonplace. and all of the balmain accouterments -- from the boots to the blouses -- aren't commonplace. and in this world of imitation, the real thing still gets the full shock value.

And good reviews for Balmain are like good reviews for Chanel and Dior. Its expected and almost always not really how the journalist feels. How many times have editors been banned from shows because of unfavorable reviews? I'm pretty sure no one will upfront say how hideous collections are that are produced by a current fashion giant.

i disagree with this statement partly. whether or not a show is covered at all is one issue. but positively is another. there's brilliance happening in paris that never sees its moment on style.com. that's a completely different issue. critics -- from cathy horyn to lisa armstrong -- can say whatever they want as long as they're saying something. there's no such thing as bad press.

Although, I can't lie, the fur usage and some of those pants are amazing.

 

[wyelin]

I see Paris Voguettes and Anna Dello Russo wearing it.

 

[mrsjamesdean]

My God the first time was nice and all but now it just plain

 

[Versace-Goddess]

I like the material and some dresses but it looks a bit trashy too me.

 

[lordevan]

not the shoulders again

 

[dhclam]

i hear a lot of whining already about this collection and almost none of it substantive. decarnin will stop using the eighties' shoulder when chanel stops making boucle jackets, michael kors stops cutting sheaths, and prada stops producing nylon handbags. it's just not going to happen. it's a signature of his work at the house. get over it.

decarnin has surely answered his critics with this collection. no more will we find ourselves bemoaning the price tag of the balmain piece that looks like it's been destroyed or distressed or vintage or any of that. these clothes look rich which probably means their price tag will go from out of this world to out of this galaxy. but it's truly refreshing that we have a designer so marching to the beat of his own drummer that he sends out a collection of baroque when everyone else has just caught up to him on militaria.

also, anyone who's been in a VIP room when a celebrity -- and her entourage -- enters the room understands what the sort of spellbinding allure this type of girl seeks. these pieces will announce themselves when they enter a room and in a season where every big house has put together their signature look, he's given us a total look that will cause a riot.

Agree Agree Agree!!! If SS10 was driven and dominated by one theme and tone. I think FW10 has shifted to another, and yet with more daywear and commercial pieces too. I just don't see why he has to change the style he strongly believes in. I mean, Galliano has his own signature feminine touch, Yamamoto and Demeulemeester never changed, Moschino was always ironic and fun, just because Decarnin's belief is not everyone's taste doesn't mean has to change to cater 'em. Vanessa Seward has done the same thing over and over at Azzaro. Taste is very personal, Demeulemeester can look sad and distress (or romantic to some), while Rick Owens might guarantee drug addict image. I mean, don't we hate fleeting designers who don't have signature style?

I mean he is someone who's capable to wake up this freaking 'ld house in the matter of seasons, who cares about Balmain or knows its style before Decarnin came along? CD made it the hottest name in the biz, and literally being worn by who's who and already gathered some renowned categories, i.e. the jacket, denim and tee, which are as signature as Chanel's 2.55, Chanel jkt and ballerina, and more successful than Galliano's Dior bar jkt for sure.

Personal speaking, it's fun to wear Balmain, always. It brings back the joy of dressing up. I think the last time I had that was circa fall 1996 Gucci by Tom Ford, that Halston-esque collection, with sleek military theme.

I mean, there were not-so-nice reviews before at AW09 from Suzy Menkes. And I don't think press need to kiss Balmain's **** as they're not key advertiser to most.

 

[IloveDiorHomme]

I'm really happy to see that Decarnin moved on nothing else , really fresh !

 

[Katnani]

First of all, Decarnin is one of my fav designers, but when I saw the first pieces I was thinking "Hum, he's doing the same think all over again?! ". Then, I saw the whole collection and understood that this is a whole new point of view, he has gone a lot less rock 'n' roll and more classy, vintage, even baroque. The motifs in those coats and pants were never used in his previous collections, and they were actually amazing! You could see the short and shoulder pointed dresses again, but this time they were richer, even more glamorous than before. If I loooove it? No, but I don't find it boring at all! It's actually a different route for Christophe, I don't understand why people are being so harsh about it! Sure, you can hate the colors, materials, vibe, etc, but saying that this is repetitive is a little too much, since it's not, imo. It's just Balmain under Decarnin's wings! It sure won't be everyone's taste, since anything is universal! Nevertheless, he has revived a brand and he's in great demand, so that must mean something!

(You can see my detailed opinion in my blog's post here, if you wish)

 

[MON]

I am truly in love with this collection. Even though the shoulder pads are still present in some pieces the whole collection didn't look like a tattered version of the past collection. I really like it

 

[Label Basher]

Hit and miss for me. Better than the last collection. I thought the shoulder were a bit softer this time. Some of the jackets and coats are just gorgeous especially this one on Freja.

 

[2Nova]

my feelings are mixed there are some pieces that make me crazy excited
and others that... i know i have seen before... almost too similar for my tastes
meh... overall it's a decent collection i can't hate it but i can't love it

 

[elsaskywalker]

I like it!
There's not so much new things but i still adore it, and the prints are great!

 

[balmain1914]

What else can Christopher play at Balmain House? Keep playing RockChic for seasons and seasons and grab the money from the women without brains in a higher level way, and bravo, well down. Maybe next seasons, all Balmain Men need to be shoulder-padded, and the next next season, assuming that Balmain children's wear is available and also shoulder padded, the Balmain kids...can u imagine?

 

[Spike413]

i hear a lot of whining already about this collection and almost none of it substantive. decarnin will stop using the eighties' shoulder when chanel stops making boucle jackets, michael kors stops cutting sheaths, and prada stops producing nylon handbags. it's just not going to happen. it's a signature of his work at the house. get over it.

decarnin has surely answered his critics with this collection. no more will we find ourselves bemoaning the price tag of the balmain piece that looks like it's been destroyed or distressed or vintage or any of that. these clothes look rich which probably means their price tag will go from out of this world to out of this galaxy. but it's truly refreshing that we have a designer so marching to the beat of his own drummer that he sends out a collection of baroque when everyone else has just caught up to him on militaria.

also, anyone who's been in a VIP room when a celebrity -- and her entourage -- enters the room understands what the sort of spellbinding allure this type of girl seeks. these pieces will announce themselves when they enter a room and in a season where every big house has put together their signature look, he's given us a total look that will cause a riot.

To a die hard Balmain fanatic at least.

 

[softgrey]

i feel like i'm having a tom ford flashback...

...

i love it...i hate it...
it's trashy...it's sexy...
ahhh...memories...




**it's really funny is what it is...**

 

[reese06]

i feel like i'm having a tom ford flashback...

...

i love it...i hate it...
it's trashy...it's sexy...
ahhh...memories...




**it's really funny is what it is...**

That's an insult to Tom Ford. There was actually a sense of luxury in Tom Ford's designs. The fabrics, trims, details, etc. and ACTUAL DESIGN. I don't see that here. It will be interesting to see how long Decarnin can keep this up though.

 

[honeyisle]

^Maybe softgrey meant the drama and the polarized reactions to the collection.

 

[knockturnal]

better then i thought it would be but im kind of over balmain in general....

 

[mikeijames]

That's an insult to Tom Ford. There was actually a sense of luxury in Tom Ford's designs. The fabrics, trims, details, etc. and ACTUAL DESIGN. I don't see that here. It will be interesting to see how long Decarnin can keep this up though.

in what universe is brocade not evocative of that sense of luxury? also, you might not like the cut, but you cannot deny that design went into cutting this coat. if this same coat appeared over a lanvin frock on a lanvin runway, many in this very thread would swoon over it.

style.com

 

[HeatherAnne]

Everytime I see Balmain "Euro-trash Girl" by Cracker plays in my head...