Late: Paris Fashion Week

I know this is late, but hey, better late than never. Last week was Paris fashion week, so to start, lets review some of our favorite collections:

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2010RTW-BALMAIN

Personally, I ADORE Balmain. Christophe Decarnin's complete turnaround for the legendary couture house has become my obsession ever since its spring 2008 pret-a-porter collection (fringed ankle booties=heaven). As he's continued to refine and tone his vision, each collection has been truly a work of art, and his newest for fall/winter 2010 is no exception. Shifting from the wartorn glitter vixens from his spring-summer collection, his fall line is a return to 70's jet set glamour without the ponchos, As the rest of Paris turned out minimalistic collections honing back to its heyday in the mid-late 90's (i absolutely LOATHE minimalism), Decarnins collection is a breath of fresh (and much needed) fabulously tacky-yet-chic air. From the collection, one of my favorite pieces is the gold paillete-and-sequin- mini modeled by Anja Rubik. Flashy, yet not so trashy, put practical, not so much. On a more wearable note, the navy blue pinstriped suit modeled by carmen kass is to die forr, and the gold buttons, tailoring, and everything about it reeks bitch-im-better-than-you-so-shove-it-up-your-ass. Simple, elegant, and toned down enough to actually pass for daywear, its quite a treasure. And, the cutaway coats in gorgeous brocade patterns (olive, red, and gold) have all the opulence of Louis the XVI with the feirceness needed for 2010.