My favorite french label is absolutely Balmain. The historic design house has changed hands many times, and the most recent departure of Christophe Decarnin paved the way for a great look that is still reminiscent of the new designer, Olivier Rousteing former boss and predecessor. The ultra-luxe label is known for their outlandish price tags and sometimes unwearable clothes, but this Spring collection, along with their Fall 2011 collection is fantastically wearable and all together cool. Balmain has been a fan of layering for quite sometime, and this collection is no different, however their layers are lighter and come in lighter colors like lemon, mint, and orange. The airy colors in this collection are grounded by black leather jackets (personal favorite, and a brand staple), as well as heavy and dark outwear, along with a fully python vest. Balmain's edgy and unkempt look has that certain persian aesthetic, making it instantly cool.
