#balmainia

by Ana Moroto

Hey Sucré Girls! Despite us already knowing that the new H&M and Balmain Fall 2015 collaboration collection is soon to launch in H&M stores worldwide, we can’t help being excited still. Get ready for Balmania at H&M launching on Thursday, Nov. 5. No one can resist the Baroque and romantic decadence of Balmain’s fast fashion capsule collection. “This is for the new H&M Balmain Nation,” says Olivier Rousteing. “A complete collection that can be worn by many different women in different continents, all part of the same world. I wanted to stay true to the DNA of Balmain: richly detailed, powerful and yet effortless.” It’s evident that Olivier Rousteing believes in what he does. THE BALMAIN ARMY REPS FOR FALL 2015 

On Oct. 20, Olivier Rousteing and his A-list crew, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Jourdan Dunn and Gigi Hadid represented the new Balmain line in proper 90s fashion - partying alongside each other to “I Want it That Way” and “Everybody” during a live nostalgic stage performance by the Backstreet Boys. But the army runs deep beyond last Tuesday’s event. In fact, many other celebrities like Beyoncé, Kristin Stewart, Kate Moss, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Joan Smalls and Miley Cyrus have been spotted wearing some of Rousteing’s latest Balmain designs - further promoting Balmania for the fashion world to obsess over. DRESSES FROM $10 to $500 BUDGETS It’s been predicted that Balmain designs sold at H&M stores will price for as high as 500 dollars. But besides this prediction, the Balmain and H&M operation aims to create pieces at affordable price points. “This collaboration made me want to go to lower prices for Balmain. Now that I have established the brand, I can try,” says Rousteing. One day, he was the customer getting in line to buy Karl Lagerfeld clothes at  H&M, but now people will be lining up for him. For those with good taste, once again, this high-fashion clothing line will be to kill for. It’s also predicted that these items will sell out almost instantaneously like the Alexander Wang x H&M collection, which debuted early November during Fall 2014. When Alexander Wang launched something as small as its boxing gloves keychain nobody noticed. One second it was there. The next second it was gone. The Balmain perfume is expected to sell out within seconds along with the Balmain branded couture t-shirt, especially with the brand’s popularity among the Kardashian clan. Khloé Kardashian was spotted on the red carpet wearing a Balmain dress costing more than $2,500. And just like that, the piece sold out on the Balmain website within hours.

BEHIND THE DESIGNS Rousteing is gaining prominence for his clothing featuring super-low, plunging necklines and short lengths. Sources say that H&M had to beg him to add more length to his designs. After seeing the collection, their pleading with Balmain didn’t work. But nonetheless, the Balmain Army is totally onboard. The longline, plunging neckline ensemble worn by Kendall Jenner, the night the collaboration was announced, is the most impressive piece. It’s embroidered applications and pearls are darkly similar to pieces from the autumn/winter 2012 collection that featured sharpened and broad shoulders, wide-legged pants, velvets, jacquards and an abundance of beads. Deluxe prints on mini-dresses, heavily jeweled sweaters, cargo pants and extra large belts are key parts of this new collection. Black as a base color paired with emerald green, sapphire blue and ruby red-colored gemstones and heavy gold metal allies make this new fall line pop. The draped skirt is one of the starting pieces of this collection, maybe just because the original price is hovering at $4000, while the H & M one is only $99. Balmain’s double-breasted wool-twill blazer is currently on sale at Net-A- Porter for just over $1,500, while the H&M version will set you back just $199. Olivier is young and sexy, and he wants his clothes to release their love of life and evening. Hand in hand with H&M, now we all have access to their parties. We’ve edited the collection down to the ten pieces we think are the absolute must- haves.

Balmain x H&M Beetlejuice Trousers, $99

Balmain x H&M Tailored Blazer, $129

Balmain x H&M Beaded Dress, $649

Balmain x H&M Satin Skirt, $99

Balmain x H&M Lame Jersey, $129

Balmain x H&M Cargo Pants, $99

Balmain x H&M Sequin Dress, $199

Balmain x H&M Jeweled Jacket, $549

Balmain x H&M Dress, $199

Balmain x H&M Shoes, $199

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  While Christophe Decarnin succumbed to the unfortunate pressures of working tirelessly in the fashion industry, the unbelievably young Olivier Rousteing (he's all of 25 tender years) has taken over from him as the creative head of Blamain- and if he can't manage to bring back Balmania, I don't know who can.

  Balmain's 2012 Resort Collection has seamlessly continued Decarnin's rock and roll aesthetic from seasons past. Rousteing's contribution comes in the form of an infusion of vibrant Mayan prints and a healthy dose of sequins and bling.

  The dazzlingly handsome newly instated figurehead worked under Decarnin for only two years, but proved with this collection that he is definitely competent enough to keep Balmain at the cutting edge of fashion.

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