Christophe Decarnin Leaves Balmain
In yet another fashion split, Balmain has issued a statement confirming it has parted ways with creative director Christophe Decarnin.
“Since 1945, the house of Pierre Balmain has been one of the leading French and international luxury brands,” said CEO Alain Hivelin in the brief statement. “Christophe Decarnin’s work with the house’s design team contributed to the success that the brand has enjoyed in recent years.”
Decarnin, who joined Balmain in 2005 after seven years as the head womenswear designer at Paco Rabanne, was noticeably absent at the label’s Fall 2011 show in March. Soon after, Hint reported he was seeking treatment for a “nervous breakdown” at a mental hospital.
“He has been exhausted because this season was particularly demanding and complicated,” Hivelin explained to the Daily Beast at the time.
Following this announcement and the New York Times report last month that several assistants have left the label, attention now turns to who will replace Decarnin. Stylist and designer Melanie Ward, who is said to have done much of the work for the Fall 2011 collection, appears to be the front-runner, but insiders aren’t ruling out a career change for Carine Roitfeld.
A more important concern, however, is Decarnin’s well-being. We hope he can now focus his attention on what’s best for him.
