The Balmain bags are here!

It's the line we've all been waiting for. The effortlessly cool, undeniably chic line of Balmain bags has arrived and we're drooling in our cashmere sweaters. They're so incredibly sleek and exude the kind of coolness that doesn't come with the right kind of jeans or a well fitted jacket. Every single piece is inimitably handmade and goes intoxicatingly well with this season's power shouldered outfits. These luxe bags will make you feel like Agneyys Deyn. View all the bags here.
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BALMAIN SS10

Here is the one we have all been waiting for............Balmain


Christophe Decarnin did not disappoint, short sexy, gold bandage dresses.

Or in leather, hard, in your face, masculine with rivets on the belts.

The military jacket is presented as a tuxedo and with embellishments.

This bandage dress will sell out in the first 2 weeks like last season.

What to Wear Now Spring Summer 2009

Top choice is Balmain Military Style Jacket. Shown here in white. This has been the UK's top seller and is more or less sold out. Wear Black or white jeans and a striped or silk top, this is how to make the boyfriend jacket wearable.

In Black here,-combine with skinny jeans and a orange red cami, add high shoes- looks amazing.

Vivian Westwood Gold Label makes superb tops and dresses. Combine this with a simple navy or black pencil skirt for a stop the traffic look.

Pucci dresses are elegant, fun, infinitely wearable and will fold away to nothing in a suitcase. Buy this and be a stunner on the C`ote D`Azure.

For effortless, affordable elegance Donna Karan.

Spring 2009 Trends

The new silhouette this season starts from the shoulders, the hugely prominent big shoulders provide a revival to the 80's. For SS 09 shoulders are going to be authoritative, tailored and self-confident.
Also big in 09 are tropical colours, wonderful pistachio, lime, papaya, lemon, kingfisher blue, also lots of nudes as well, neutral is everywhere. These particularly suit fair and redheaded people. Prints abound, wonderful parrot prints from Peter Pilotto, big polka dots. Look too for ruffles and bows and softer gothic lace to create a more feminine feel.
The look is unmistakeable and is seen in up-to- date women business suits, also carried over into blouses, little squared dresses, jackets, and even the humble t- shirt has built-in shoulder pads. Jeans are ripped or embroidered.
For a cheap, chic update, slide a pair of detachable shoulder pads into a cardi or coat. Combine the boxy jacket with new peg trousers, cigarette pants or capri pants. Short suits featuring sexy hot pants combined with a jacket, are another tribute to the 80’s.Jumpsuits are figure hugging in slinky jersey, bright colours, and leopard prints.

And if you’re going for it, remember that this look needs 100 per cent commitment. Finally to make this look really work, you should add retro accessories or better still rolled up sleeves for a genuinely 80’s feel! Look for scarf type belts, bug glasses and huge chunky and chandelier earrings.
Dresses have shoulder pads, many have embroidery and embellishments, look for simple shifts in bright tropical colours. Skirts are pencil or tulip shaped to complement large double breasted blazers. -Gabrielle Teare

The Beauty of Balmain

Maison Balmain has gained the respect and adoration from couture connoisseurs since it's founding in 1945. Known for his architectural element, Pierre Balmain's style was marked by simple, yet undeniable elegance. Nearly 63 years later, Christophe Decarnin has reinvented and revamped the look of Balmain. Rather than indulging in iconic tradition, Decarnin garnered his inspiration from Native Americans and exotic India. This astonishing mix resulted in the perfect boho-chic combination. It's glamorous, yet unstudied. Expect a lot of color and drama. Need I say more?

The British Fashion Scene by Vanessa Lee

London's fashion scene consists of more than Agyness Deyn and floral prints from Kate Moss's collection at Topshop. Amongst the crowds are a stylish few who present quirky classic looks to extravagant detailing in their everyday outfits. From vintage to designer, London's fashionistas are changing the way we look at fashion through their personal style.

The Vintage Lover, London is the heart of Vintage and with a few gems like Rokit and Beyond Retro, its not easier than ever to buy one off pieces without a designer price-tag. Even high-street stores are tapping into the magic with 'Bazaar' sections in Topshop and Urban outfitters dedicated to sourcing out the best pieces around.

Looking for a decadent brocade Victorian number with neon frills? Stumble through Covent Garden and find yourself a cute number for less than a tenner in Loewy vintage store.Maybe some authentic cowboy boots with lace detailing, head over to a vintage fair taking place at earl's court.

Combined with a cute cropped leather jacket, a pair of silk pumps from Lanvin and an oversized clutch from Zara, Londoners are dressing in flea-market chic with vintage tea dresses and birdcage necklaces from Miss Selfridges.

The Glamour puss, from Mayfair to Knightsbridge London is just as well dressed as any other city, and with old money comes effortless style. The residents of high-rising penthouses are decking themselves out in a assortment of jewels, gold jewellery is finding itself cluttering wrists, necks and fingers. Jewellery is becoming the new pair of Manolos adding personal touches to every outfit. As Balmain is taking New York by storm, London’s trendiest women are dressing in Herve Leger with a touch of Miu Miu. Tight body-con dresses for evening, high hem lined babydoll chic for day. Who said afternoon tea couldn't be glamourous?

The bargain hunter, from Primark or 'Primarni' as its being titled to H&M, fashion has never been so cheap and a small army of woman are learning that looking good doesn't necessarily mean splashing out at Comme de Garcons to look like Carrie Bradshaw, with tiered dresses at Primark for £8, gladiator flats at H&M for £10 and jewellery at Oasis for a few pounds, why dent the bank account?
Combining high-street with cheap bargains, the look achieved is casual but collected, unique but budget and most of all effortless, after all why would anyone need to hesitate about spending £15 on a entire outfit? The extravagant icon, from Maison Betaux's secret hideout store in soho to Vivienne Westwood's affordable red label, girls are throwing all concerns out the window and strutting round brink lane in couture, well as close as.

Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Westwood and Luella are providing 'original and punk chic' outfits which are being worn with leather ankle boots and Indian headbands. Costume is being worn to the local supermarket and harlequin is the everyday look.

So, to sum up London’s looks there are four types of girls:
· The quirky waif girl dressed head to know in clothes which haven't seen daylight but manage to look wearable.

· The sexy but proper lady with the Chanel 2.55 under one arm and Vogue on the other

· The girl with the fabulous wardrobe and a lot of more cash to spend

· Last but not least the diva who turns heads with her shockingly thrown together look which makes Patricia Field green with envy.

(Images courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk and www.facehunter.blogspot.com)