The series stars Lagerfeld boytoy Baptiste Giabiconi, Anja Rubik, & Brad Kroenig. And if you think that this looks super familiar then you’re right. FashionIndie totally did this last month.

Keep reading for more photos

- Karl Lagerfeld, contrary to popular belief, will not be involved in the creation of Paper Passion, a fragrance inspired by the smell of books as reflected in a badly-worded statement allegedly from his European PR  person. [Mimi Frou Frou]

- Vidal Sassoon? More like Vidal Sassy.When asked about Kate Middleton‘s hair, the iconic hair-raiser said that it was “kind of neither here nor there” and said of Michelle Obama, “Oh! What wonderful straightening techniques they have today.” Hmm, someone’s sharpened their scissors and they. Are. Out. [Financial Times]

- Sassoon might want to keep comments like that to himself, no matter how innocent, since the British police are not having it for the Royal Wedding. 5,000 cops will be on hand this Friday to ensure that no one ruins this most beautiful, and costly, of days. They are ready to respond “robustly, quickly and firmly,” which is coincidentally how I respond to most “threats” or as I like to refer to them, “come-ons.” [Reuters]

- Balmain officially announced today that Olivier Rousteing (whom Styleite pointed out is a total hottie, thank you) will supercede Christophe Decarnin. [NYT]

- Dov Charney‘s  been busy fellating various financial resources and he’s come up a winner! The professional perv has secured $15.2 million from investors to keep American Apparel from descending into a unique circle of hell reserved for overpriced crotchless pants. [WWD]

- Karl Lagerfeld responded in his typical thoughtful and sensitive manner when asked about Christophe Decarnin‘s departure from Balmain: ”Forget about it! This was a job done by a fashion editor. I don’t even know the name of the man who did it, so don’t ask me about that.” [Fashionologie]

- Britney Spears caused a minor riot when she made a surprise appearance at raptress Nicki Minaj‘s after party this weekend, causing six fans to reportedly hyperventilate and pass out from exhaustion dehydration excitement. The two femme fatales will tour this summer and recently collaborated on a remix of  future Song of the Summer,”Till the World Ends” with dumpster diver cum popstar Ke$ha. [MTV]

- 18-year-old Scots Guard Cameron Reilly should have been more guarded over his Facebook. The palace guard has been banned from the wedding march after lashing out online against Kate Middleton, calling her a “stupid, stuck up cow,” a “posh bitch” and asking who “gives a fuck about her?” after the future Princess apparently slighted him. Aww, someone’s got a crush! And someone needs to be put on 24-hour surveillance! [Daily Mail]

- Though she claims she never thought much about pursuing acting, after being tapped to host the ck one -sponsored MTV Push event, Lara Stone says she would “definitely be a Bond girl if they asked me. For sure — I would make a great evil Bond girl!” Now casting, Chesty Von Gaptooth for the next 007 flick. [WWD]

- Sir Elton John has confirmed that Lady Gaga is indeed the godmother to his newborn son Zachary, thus ensuring the gayest kid this side of Chaz Bono. [Daily Mail]

- Red carpet favorite Marchesa is hopping into less formal territory with its one-off Playboy Bunny costume design for the new Playboy Club opening in London June 4th. Using the original iconic costume design, Georgina Chapman and co. added “Marchesa’s signature details, such as hand draping and embroidery.” I better not see a forty-foot train of tulle cascading from that bunny tail. [Vogue]

- Anna Wintour parachuted into the J. Crew store on Fifth Ave to celebrate CFDA winner Billy Reid and the two designers who subsequently ate his dust, Prabal Gurung and Eddie Borgo.  All three designed capsule collections for the Crew; Reid’s seven piece collection is available online now through May with Gurung’s premiering in June and Borgo’s in July. [Fashionista]

Photo: Nicola Formichetti’s Blog!!

- Someone somewhere told Elle UK that Balmain will be naming a new designer in the next few days, but that name will most likely be followed by a question mark. This source says: ‘They’re going to choose someone unknown. Christophe [Decarnin] was an unknown when he came to Balmain, and the owners want to support lesser-known design talent.’ Support and then drive them insane…allegedly. [Elle UK]

- Supermodel Doutzen Kroes is trading in her stilettoes for some Moon boots. The Dutch beauty has signed on to be part of Space Expedition Curacao, a sort of galactic travel agency where ordinary citizens — or at least supermodels  – can observe the Earth from space. Doutzen was one of a  select fifteen passengers invited on the initial launch meaning she will be the first person to catwalk in space. Eat your still-beating heart out, Neil Armstrong.  [Modelina]

- As if we needed further reminder that Beyoncé basically runs shit, the superstar will sport a crown of epic proportions for her new video — in addition to maybe-possibly-could-be some Givenchy HC. [Stylite]

- Noted news  publication Supermarket also-ran, Star Magazine is “reporting” that Kate Middleton’s wedding dress might have to be built for two. Following pressure to “produce an heir,”  Prince William and Kate may have started knocking the royal boots  before their stroll down the aisle. And if the mag is to be believed — which it clearly isn’t — the Queen Mum could care less since she all she wants is to hear the pitter-patter of little feet again…just as long as those little feet pitter and patter far away in some other part of Buckingham Palace.  [Jezebel]

- Vivienne Westwood is opening up her first flagship store in the states and she’s doing it in Los Angeles. Why L.A.? ”I don’t actually like New York.” She explains. “New York people are a bit stuck up and self important, and think that just the fact that they live in New York makes them better than anybody else.” Not better than anybody else. Better than everybody else. So-what? Who-cares? Is it our fault our city kicks every other city’s ass? I don’t think so. Please don’t punish us for being the bestest, Viv. [W]

- As if there weren’t enough fashion reality shows hosted by supermodels, now NBC has thrown their chapeau into the ring with Fashion Star, hosted by Elle Macpherson. But don’t expect high concept challenges requiring yards of tulle and a metric ton of beading; this show will focus on everyday items, “like bathing suits or lingerie, or surf wear and jeans.” And the winner gets a multi-million dollar contract and the chance to have their line sold at a “massive retail store.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve all but given up on PJ Runway (Lifetime? Ew.) and The Fashion Show, despite Iman being the best person ever, just doesn’t make the cut. Will a show about designers making mass-retail jeans intrigue you? Especially on NBC? [Modelina]

Photo: Homotography

- Gallianogate overshadowed much of Paris Fashion Week, that is until Christophe Decarnin raised the crazy bar. [Fashion Indie]

- CKOne proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Their new ads bring 90s Calvin roaring into the new millennium featuring a multi-ethnic cast of hotties parading around in their underwear. [ckone]

-Finally something I actually enjoy watching Jennifer Aniston in. [Jennifer Aniston's Sex Tape..for smartwater]

- Daniel Craig is a questionably attractive man but an undeniably ugly woman. [Oh La La Mag]

- You know when your career is over? When you become a judge for a reality show that purports to find someone to replace you. Christina meet J. Lo, J. Lo, meet Paul Abdul, Paula Abdul, meet your reflection whom you claim you’ve never seen before. [The Socialite Life]

- So maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse, but I’ve found my wedding ring. Luckily, it  will be useful in finding my future fiance — you have two options: marry me or get a face-full of diamonds. [Refinery29]

- Daphne Guinness has an 80-foot hallway that doubles as a runway in her New York apartment. I don’t know what’s more amazing, the fact that she has an 80-ft long runway or that she has an apartment in New York with 80 ft lying around. [Style.com]

- America’s newest sweetheart, Charlie Sheen, joined Twitter and almost immediately has found himself a second career. Which comes in handy since his first career has gone down in a blaze of glory. 2 million followers and counting! [The Sheen Twitter]

Photo: Interview Magazine

Original word had it that the designer has been in a mental hospital since January and was not coming back to Balmain. Well, turns out that is at least half true.

Turns out Decarnin was recently released from the loony bin after being treated for depression and stayed away from the show under doctor’s orders, a Balmain spokesperson tells WWD.

It almost feels like it’s a fashion Apocalypse! I have half a mind to start ransacking Barneys. There is, however,  a bright spot on the horizon…depending on how you define “bright spot.”

John Galliano’s namesake collection, previously thought to be cancelled, will instead be held as an informal presentation on Sunday, “consisting of 30 looks that were already completed.”

That’s bright, right…?

If you need me I’ll be in the Barneys fur department.

Link Love: WWD, Fashionologie, NY Mag

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.”

Via NY Mag

View the entire collection here.

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

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

Louis Vuitton: The Bags, The Shoes, The Jewelry

Louis Vuitton: The Arm Jewerly, The Feathered Garments

Stella McCartney: The Dresses

John Galliano: The Hair, The Makeup

Chanel: The Jewelry

Alexander McQueen: The Hair, The Silhouettes

Christophe Decarnin: The Metallics