Balmain A/W 2010/11

You can always tell a Balmain collection from a mile off. The sharp, structured shoulders, second-skin leather leggings, micro dresses, and edgy, sleek haired models with check bones that could slice through walls. The French fashion house’s A/W show has a Renaissance, almost New Romantic quality about it, with opulent textures, brocade style embroidered jackets and lashings of gold. Divine.

Bugged out

In the spirit of Halloween (OK, so I’m a few days late but blame the flu) I thought I’d just highlight how god damn fabulous Giles’ Bug-tastic S/S ’10 fashion collection was! Smattered with ghoulish insects, slinky metallic structures and a neon palette of lime green, tangerine and purples, it was a playful, schizophrenic mix of the swinging sixties – graphic prints, teeny-tiny mini dresses, retro sunglasses – futuristic sci-fi – Star Wars bodices and lashings of silver – and prehistoric dinosaurs – worn in the guise of soft, cuddly handbags and cartoonish tees. On paper, it really shouldn’t work. But it does! The oversized spider t-shirt is to die for. Worn with a leather mini or tied in a knot with a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans… Gimme, gimme, gimme!

[All images from www.coutorture.com]