Pierre Balmain once said “dressmaking is the architecture of movement,” and Christophe Decarnin managed to make a sexy and sophisticated collection with movement using mainly animal skins and metallics. A Joan of Arc inspired collection, critics claimed his designs were “a returning heroine moment of great zest and epic edgy beauty, saying Decarnin knows “how to rock–and how to sell.”

Never thought I’d write a ‘moment of style’ on Jacko…

Here’s Micheal wearing a women’s Balmain crystal encrusted zepra top from Spring 09 collection by Christophe Decarnin. Doesn’t actually bother me that it’s women’s, I think that’s mightly androgenous of him. Now if he was wearing the open front pants, that would be a different story.

LINKAGE: Grazia

Christophe Decarnin’s Fall 2009 Balmain collection had me singing “Night Fever” throughout the entire duration of the show. Swaroviski crystals bedazzled nearly every look, from the skin tight micro dresses to the quilted leather mini skirts, giving off a disco ball shine. Favorites included the front-slit silk pants, skeletal print drapey tees and the always appreciated, über dramatic, über shoulder-padded jackets. Overall, the collection was fun, yet glamorous, 70’s nightlife array of items…unfortunately, creativity seemed to run low as pieces from the collection repeated themselves. 

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Balmain Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Style 

Gianfranco Ferre (designers Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi of 6267), Gareth Pugh, Roland Mouret, Carlos Miele, Christophe Decarnin and Matthew Williamson, all announced their transition into men’s wear.

LINKAGE: Fashionista