When Balmain lost the Bling

Balmain lost its bling but not its edge, painting a new sophisticated coat onto that resident rock and roll vibe.

In his second season for the label, Olivier Rousteing kept the ball rolling in his pursuit of a Balmain revival. The 26-year-old designer introduced a look that was more polished and thoughtful and altogether more Parisian.

Inspired by a Fabergé egg given to Liz Taylor from Richard Burton, Rousteing transferred the labyrinth of intricacy on to mini-dresses, blazers and crushed velvet trousers which were adorned with thousands of pearls and stamped with brocade prints. The result was an ornamental tapestry of embellishment, which, when styled with a crew neck sweater, moved like dressed down couture. (welcome back Karlie Kloss)

The Balmain girl has grown tired of her wild-child ways; moving out of the rock and roll tour bus and into an opulent palatial dining room, full of Parisian royalty, ready to be wined and dined. But there are reminders and tell-tale hints of her old hellish past with thigh slits and taut leather. However, a new, more curved silhouette is her disguise. This lady-like guise, conceived by Rousteing, is rather convincing; the Balmain girl might just get away with becoming someone new.