These Lips Might Sink Ships...: Balmain

Every season, the collection at Balmain is consistent with an assertive sexiness and a rock and roll sensibility. This season, glam rock was the emphatic message, with notable homage to David Bowie—or Ziggy Stardust, depending on how you see it. Some of the looks also reminded me of Byzantine art. Technically, beading and embellishment were this season's decorative bread and butter. Many of the pieces had a mosaic quality to them, often including mirrored fragments that only seemed to heighten the gleam put forth. Leave it to Christophe Decarnin to present a barrage of sparkle, dizzying in both its effect and intricacy. Looks featuring a metallic blue blazer, a suspender-bearing skirt, and a brilliantly beaded catsuit with the deepest of necklines especially spoke to the Ziggy state of mind. In general, more elaborate jackets or pants were anchored down by relatively simple staples, giving each look a particular effortlessness that makes Balmain so fucking sexy. The models wear heavily decorated pieces with ease; their t-shirts loose and their hair perfectly disheveled. The Balmain girl likes to party and she doesn't care if you like it or not. This collection could not be a better indicator. Why wouldn't you want to look like a disco ball?

On a slightly less cheerful note, Christophe Decarnin was not at the show due to a hospitalization. I have no interest in what his rumored condition is, I just hope that he gets better. What is fashion without such a fearless mind? The party girls and I will be waiting with flowers and things of a naughtier nature. All my love.

Karmen Pedaru