Balmain for the Masses

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I’ve been a Balmain fan, since before I knew Balmain was Balmain. Back when I was just dipping my toes into this fashion thing, and just loved those heavily embroidered dresses and super strong silhouettes that Balmain is known for. Olivier Rousteing, creative director for Balmain has been kicking ass and taking names for the past 5 years since he took over the fashion house at just 24 years of age. I know…I feel a little like crap that he was doing so much at 24 and I was still figuring it out in school. Needless to say, I am a huge fan of him, he is super talented, and gorgeous and a minority running a French fashion house! He makes the clothing men and women a like dream of wearing. I’ve always wanted a Balmain piece. I’ve dreamt of the perfect skin tight heavily embroidered dress that weighs a million pounds. It was just a dream though, but this new Balmain for H&M collaboration coming out in just 3 days, makes it all too real for me.

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Photography by LOE

Dress: Thrifted | Boots: Sam Edelman | Earrings: Thrifted

I’ve come to the conclusion that these mass collaborations between designers and H&M just aren’t for me. I love Alexander Wang and Lanvin and didn’t bat an eyelash when they both did collaborations with H&M. I also didn’t buy anything…from any Major Designer x H&M collaborations (except Jeff Koons, but come on he’s an artist not a designer). My favorite collections from H&M have been the Paris H&M Collections (Affordable..meaning in line with H&M normal price points and chic!). I feel like if I’m going to spend more than $300 on a piece, it should just be designer. I don’t want to sound snobby about it but H&M is amazing for basics and those one off cool items that may be a little pricier.

I LOVE H&M and I LOVE BALMAIN but I may as well save up for the real thing instead of standing in a crazed line, and fighting to the death for something I probably won’t wear for more than a season or two. I get that major designers want to be accessible to everyone and affordable for everyone. That would be a perfect world. But these quick sales of look alike’s of the real thing just don’t appeal to me, so instead I’ll just fake the look until I make the look with this vintage dress. The pattern on this dress and the shape is very Balmain to me. I got this dress a long time ago from Ebay. It was a maxi dress but I had it shortened. Whenever I need my Balmain fix, I put this baby on and it gets me close enough. Perhaps one day, I will run across a Balmain piece at a designer consignment, or save up enough one day to reward myself with a piece. Until then, I’m wishing you a happy shopping experience should you indulge, and if so, please share your stories with me.

xx

Monroe

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