An exclusive pop-up sale we can all shop - Balmain on The Outnet

You may have heard about the House of Balmain – the brand that EVERYONE has been wearing, especially over the past year. If you don’t know the name, you at least know the clothes – edgy, acid-washed distressed denim with strategically placed padding and seams; military-style jackets worn by the likes of MJ, Kanye, Beyonce and Rihanna; large shoulder padded blazers and embellishments everywhere. Now that we’ve refreshed your memory, head on over to The Outnet where the Balmain pop-up sale will be live today. Register and gain access to over 60 iconic runway and real-way styles at up to 85% off! For one week only! Pieces include:

Balmain embellished collarless jacket
Balmain embellished tulle dress
Balmain distressed denim jeans
Balmain asymmetric silk gown
Balmain studded mini skirt
Balmain palm tree t-shirt

Don’t miss out!

Torn by Ronny Kobo Print Gabby Top

Love it or hate it, the strong shoulders trend isn’t going away anytime soon. And neither is the leopard print trend. So why not embrace the two? The current reigning prince of strong shoulders is Balmain, but for most of us it may be out of your price range. Luckily, there are other options. We’ll settle for this equally chic top from Torn by Ronny Kobo Print Gabby Top. It blends the two trends into one glamorous package. Exclusive to shopbop, this scoop-necked micromodal/spandex jersey top features puff sleeves at the shoulders, composed of pleating and structured organza lining, with an all-over fuzzy leopard print. Worn with jeans it works equally well with a high-waisted black skirt and booties, going from haute casual to haute couture in a flash.

$139, shopbop

Who Rocked it Hotter: Selita vs. Alessandra vs. LeToya vs. Kate in the Balmain Cut-Out Lace Dress

It’s a four-way faceoff! LeToya Luckett first rocked this Balmain Fall 2008 Cut-Out Lace Dress at the 2009 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks wore it next at the premiere of “Valentino: The Last Emperor” at The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Recently, Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio attended the “Los Premios MTV 2009″ Latin America Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, wearing the same frock. And actress Kate Hudson wore the dress in a photoshoot. So which lady rocked it the best?

Buy Balmain at Net-a-Porter
Photos: Christopher Polk/Lacroix/Wireimage
And just for fun, check out the cheaper version on bebe.com:

Michelle Obama and Rihanna cover Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” issue

Two of our favorite ladies here at What’s Haute, are Michelle Obama and Rihanna, and both are Glamour Magazine cover girls! The December issue marks the 2009 “Women of the Year” and both ladies not surprisingly made the list. Mrs. O is the first First Lady to ever land on the cover of Glamour. She is receiving magazine’s Special Recognition award for mentoring young women. The First Lady stuck to her fashion-savviness for the cover shoot - she wore a red drop-waist flared cocktail dress from her own closet! She spoke with Katie Couric on being the first Black First Lady, her family, pet causes and of course, her relationship with her husband, President Obama. Read Michelle Obama’s Glamour interview here.

Rihanna, another What’s Haute fave, is one of the other Glamour cover girls. The chanteuse finally opens up about domestic abuse and her relationship with Chris Brown, the Believe Foundation that she started, her singing career, her edgy fashion sense and enviable fashion icon status. She wears a black and silver strapless animal-print mini dress from Balmain’s Fall 2009 collection and accessorized the look with studded cuffs.

Rihanna: “Fashion for me is another way I get to express myself creatively. It is one of the fun things I get to do: to play dress-up, and create outfits and looks that aren’t typical. I am an artist, so I like creating things. Shoes are my favorite thing.”

The 2009 Glamour Women of the Year:
•Michelle Obama (Special Recognition)
•Rihanna
•Maria Shriver
•Stella McCartney
•Amy Poehler
•Marissa Mayer
•Serena Williams
•Jane Aronson
•Susan Rice
•Euna Lee and Laura Ling
•The Women of Iran’s One Million Signatures Campaign
•Maya Angelou

Haute Topic: Kings and Queens of Pop (and Bling)

This week we’re paying homage to Michael Jackson - the man, the mystery, the music legend, humanitarian and fashion innovator and icon. Jackson’s unique sound and dance moves may have put him on the map, and his philanthropic efforts kept him there but it was really his fashion sense that really made him stand out and made us take notice. Early on he set trends with prepster looks (like his yellow cardigan and bowtie during the Human Nature era); colorful zippered leather jackets (a la Thriller), then later, sparkly socks and that single jeweled glove. Blinged out military-style jackets covered in sequins and crystals became his uniform alongside cropped black pants. Jackson’s style may have been a little over the top, especially for day to day, but designers and other celebrities paid attention and began to emulate his style. This season’s ever popular Balmain bandleader blazers were insipred by the King of Pop, and celebrities from Beyonce to Rihanna to Kim Kardashian to Victoria Beckham were all spotted wearing Jackson’s signature look. Want to rock Michael Jackson’s style? Click the links below to cop your own ‘Queen of Pop and Bling’ look.

1. Les Chiffoniers Sequin-sprayed jacket, $755
2. Stuart Weitzman Girly, $230
3. Alexander McQueen Faithful Glove Clutch, $899
4. sass & bide Black Rats Metallic Smocked Leggings, $176
5. Ray-Ban Classic aviator sunglasses, $135
6. Balmain Waxed Ribbed biker jeans, € 1,274
7. Thakoon Cropped Disco Mirror Jacket, $2,750
8. Andrew Hamilton Crawford Starry Night Ring, $114
9. Spring Court M2 Glove Metallic in Silver Fox White, $160

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Celebrating Michael Jackson - the music, humanitarian and fashion icon

The loss of Michael Jackson shook the world on Thursday. Michael Jackson the entertainer not only impacted the music world in tremendous ways, he was also a global humanitarian, lending his support to 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through project sponsorships. He received recognition in the 2000 edition of the Guiness Book Of World Records for breaking the world record for the “Most Charities Supported By a Pop Star”. Despite media allegations, Michael Jackson loved all children, and took time out while touring to secret visting sick children and even had special roms at his Neverland Ranch for sick and terminally ill children.

The influence of Michael Jackson in the music and entertainment world is beyond measurable. Drawing initial inspiration from his idol James Brown, Jackson adopted his own style that is truly unmatched. From his trademark sound and innovative dance moves to mini-feature length music videos like the iconic Thriller, most of today’s singers acknowledge being inspired by him.

His inspiration extended to the fashion world as well. Jackson’s style first made us take notice in the eighties, when the innovative pop star dazzled the stage with red, multizippered leather jackets and  high-water pants, white socks and loafers, and then on to aviator sunglasses with militaristic, bandleader-style crystallized jackets, socks and that infamous sequined glove.

Recently, Michael Jackson-influenced fashion was making a comeback, as seen in Christophe Decarnin’s spangled bandleader jackets for Balmain, reminiscent of the jackets Jackson has worn in the past. His likeness was even seen in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s collection on his Fall/Winter 2009-2010 runway. Celebrities like Kanye West, Rihanna and Beyonce were all seen sporting the King of Pop’s style. Recently Jackson was spotted out wearing Riccardo Tisci’s (Givenchy) studded jackets, and Tisci was set to create looks for Jackson’s upcoming “This Is It” tour that was set to begin in London on July 13. Swarovski crystals were also a favorite of Jackson’s, with the crystal studs covering almost every inch of his ostentatious collection of jackets and performance outfits. Jackson was also working with Swarovski to design his stage wardrobe for his tour. The sets and Jackson’s costumes would have featured 300,000 crystals in 43 sizes and 27 colors. Nadja Swarovski, the company’s vp of communications told WWD on Wednesday: “As the King of Pop, it is only natural for him to be crowned in crystal.”

Rest in peace Michael Jackson (1958-2009). You will certainly be missed but your influence in the realms of music, philanthropy and fashion will be everlasting.