Best of Pre-Fall 2012: Balmain

Talk about re-invention! Entirely abandoning the DIY aesthetic of Christophe Decarnin's Balmain, Olivier Rousteing's vision is still very luxe, but decidedly more polished and- GASP!- over-size. At least, for pre-Fall it is.
He's used the word "comfy" to describe the collection, and i'd have to agree it certainly looks it- blazers and jackets came in men's proportions, while pajama pants were made from quilted silk and in the most gorgeous of prints. Bravo.

Balmain Resort 2012

Having studied under Christophe Decarnin for two years, Olivier Rousteing is now at the head of the Balmain label. Sure, the clothes are still imbued with Decarnin's rock edge, but under Rousteing's vision, there's a bit more depth here with inspiration as varied as Las Vegas and Native America.
It's gonna take him a lot more to prove his commercial clout, but my senses tell me he's more than capable- just look at those prints and jackets!