Christophe Decarnin Leaves Balmain
by Ida Hsiang
Apr 7, 2011 1:48 PM PDT
Designer Christophe Decarnin will be leaving the helm of Balmain, Women's Wear Daily reports. The fashion house is expected to announce the split today and name a successor - supposedly someone internal, possibly stylist Melanie Ward, according to Cathy Horyn - imminently.
Decarnin certainly increased the label's popularity during his five-year tenure there, but questions were asked when he missed the final bow at Balmain's show as part of Paris Fashion Week in March.
At the time, Alain Hivelin, Balmain's owner, explained to the Telegraph that Decarnin was "tired, after working on the collection. No, he's NOT retired. He's just tired. He didn't go to bed until 5 a.m. He's not here, he's resting."
Other outlets, like Hint Mag, claimed that Decarnin was in a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown three months ago - "Decarnin is said to have disappeared one day in mid-January. Soon after, according to our source, it was announced to employees that he would not be returning." Hint also wrote that Decarnin did not work on the fall collection.
Read more by clicking over to our friends at Stylelist!
Celebs Are Loving Super Short Long Sleeved Mini Dresses!
by Pauline Montupet
Nov 12, 2009 10:26 AM PST
Every since Christophe Decarnin sent his fembots down his spring and fall runway shows in minis with sky high hemlines and long sleeves it seems like celebs can't get enough. Blake Lively has been spotted in a seriously shoulder padded black sequined number and Sienna Miller rocked a majorly distressed version in gold at the party for her Broadway show "After Miss Julie." But its not just Balmain that's playing the long sleeve mini game. Chloe Sevigny's been out and about in new designer Kimberly Ovitz's nude bandaged mini and Alexa Chung looked perfectly minimalist in red Calvin Klein. One thing is for sure, all of these dresses have dangerously high hemlines, but the more conservative, covered-up look on top keeps it balanced. I mean mom always said to cover up, right? Check out the slideshow to see our top 5 favorites.
