The Balmain collection that irritated the heck out of NY Times fashion editor Cathy Horyn is now on sale on the label’s site. Looking at it with fresh eyes, all the motorcycle jackets and straight-legged jeans do seem a tad dated, but then again, there’s something decadently appealing about the way the label combines the ultimate casual looks with luxury workmanship as epitomized by the denim shorts on this page. And the Balmain customer seems to agree…a lot of the collection is sold out. That’s what’s weird about the instant reaction to runway shows–it’s sometimes hard to separate the sensational zeitgeist moment, which journalism demands, versus the actual clothes themselves, not to mention the customer who they’re designed to appeal to.

Urban Outfitters early spring catalog hit mailboxes this week, and clearly it speaks to changing fashion winds the company has said were coming. Photographed in Tel Aviv, it features more polished than in the past shots of models in silky high-waisted trousers, blouses and tanks for a look that is definitely lighter and easier than the punk-inspired, grungy looks that have dominated the chain for the past few years. We give it a giant thumbs up but wonder how it will be received by the regular UO customer who still adores her straight-leg jeans and jeggings. More images on the next page.

Free People’s January catalog is now available, with a photography theme that seems to take some inspiration from fashion bloggers. Urban Outfitters, which owns FP, has talked about shifting fashion winds in its investor calls but these images don’t speak to any noticeable new directions….though maybe that’s the idea, keep change subtle and difficult to spot so as not to cause any uproar. Via Popbee

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Futher riffing on the ballet trend opened wide bythe movie Black Swan, Opening Ceremony offers a video titled Pas De Deux Coda, featuring Joffrey Ballet School dancers wearing their own practice clothes, along with designs by Opening Ceremony and Repetto shoes.

“The Aleph” is an artsy fashion film featuring Belgian model Hanne Gaby, wearing the designs of Esteben Cortazar for Exito. This is the second of three capsule collections planned between the Columbian-born Cortazar and the Latin American retailer.  Film direction was a collaboration between art director Jaime Rubiano and filmmaker Jason Last. Via Viacomit.

We don’t do a whole lot of sample sale coverage…..Alex Wang, however, is special, a bit of a teacher’s pet if you will.  Anyway, this week the label is offering items from pre-Autumn and Autumn ‘10 at up to 80 percent off. The above image is taken from a sage-colored Rocco bag from Opening Ceremony–seriously doubt you’ll find any of those there, but ya never know!  Here is the location: 93 Mercer (between Spring and Broome), and here are the dates:
Thursday, Dec 16 2pm-7pm
Friday, Dec 17 10am-7pm
Saturday, Dec 18 10am-7pm
Sunday, Dec 19 10am-2pm

As part of his effort to promote his recently opened boutique in Tokyo, his first-ever in Japan, Christian Louboutin was recently interviewed by Japanese producer and designer Verbal (in the image above, his shoe is on the left and Louboutin’s on the right). They discuss the design of the store, Louboutin’s inspirations and how he designs men’s shoes. Though I must confess, my interpretation comes through computer translation of the Japanese text so take my words with a grain of salt! Via Honeyee. More images on the next page.

On 9th December, Henrik Vibskov will be  launching his new retail concept ‘100 DAYS’ at SPRSPACE in Amsterdam. The store will move around the world, existing for 100 days per season per city, reflecting the current show and theme of the collections. “Inspired by all the travelling, and by not committing to a long term lease, we are free to experiment with spaces and installations and present the full collection -including showpieces, one-offs and pieces that were edited out of the collection before the show.”, says Henrik Vibskov.  More info on other locations coming soon…

Our current fave bag desinger, Alexander Wang, just shipped first Spring bags to Opening Ceremony. The camera bags with the long straps on the next page are super cute!

Club Monaco gives us a peak of Spring 2011, which is part of the trend I like to describe as the J-Crewization of retail. More Mickey Drexler-inspired looks after the flip.