Balmain's 2010 Spring - more shoulder pads but get some laceups

Very first post for Catherine Ruze's blog has to be something special I thought. I could have gone for local news but I got distracted by Paris Fashion Week featuring Spring and Summer fashion for 2010. Yay. Well, we, Perthlings, are welcoming Spring 2009. It's annoying to think that what Christophe Decarnin presented for Balmain the other day won't be coming to our shores for another six to eight months also.

You know what I mean by 'coming to our shores'. His first big shoulder pads, gladiator sandals and   military jackets were such a huge commercial success that now we are seeing all different flavours of 'Balmain' in every big retail outlets around the country.

Looking at Mr. Decarnin's new releases he hasn't had enough of big shoulder pads or skinny jeans or military chic yet. If you thought skinny jeans should be packed away think again. Go out there and look for faded gray, olive coloured skinnies if you can. Shorts are brilliant too if you are suitably leggy.  I would also look for some tees to tear and shred to match the grungy look. The biggest investment you may have to make is a pair of solid lace-up boots - be it stiletto or Ann Demeulemeester style chunky heels.

That's only if Balmain is your cup of tea and you want to beat the 'crowd' before this covettable style becomes 'same all same all' across the city. These top models look utterly gorgeous but to my mind Christophe's style is truly effortless for a guy. It's so clear that he is feeling it himself and it's natural to him - putting together a show that is so his style for the moment. I'd love to steal boots, jeans and his hair style.

{images from Style.com}