Tough Love

Balmain Catwalk Report: S/S 2010

it's rude to point

Christophe Decarnin’s S/S 2010 collection was sort of like a glimpse at the would-be wardrobe of Kate Moss playing the leading lady of an explosion-infused, bullet-blazing action movie. It was tight, leathery and beautifully disheveled.

 Clearly one to recognize when he’s on to a good thing, the Balmain shoulder pad originating from his Fall 2008 collection was still alive and kicking. Though this time Decarnin brought out the big guns, with a highly embellished, metallic military fringed version. "It's warrior women and the military with a mix of different times and a touch of Mad Max," Decarnin told the International Herald Tribune.

 Amongst distressed denim and bullet belts, laid a subtle feminine undertone, with slightly more ladylike pieces scattered sparingly throughout the collection. Touches of layered sheers, jagged lamé hemlines and peek-a-boo barbed wire-rips again evoked visions of a great action-movie romance- post final-showdown. For the collection’s final showdown, Supergirl Daria Werbowy marched out wearing a lace-up, bondage rubber top and a lamé mini with a loose, fluid hem. This hard- vs.- something slightly softer style is what Balmain is fast-becoming notorious for, and what no doubt keeps the likes of Mossy going back for more.

Regarding next season, Balmain will most certainly be back. Terminator stylee.