NEW YORK — We decided to do this pictorial feature as the tribute to designer Christophe Decarnin and his efforts to turn Balmain label around – make it modern and edgy while maintaining Balmain’s legacy of sophistication, elegancy and refinement.

Balmain is the latest epidemics in Hollywood with so many celebrities sporting it on the red carpet and elsewhere.

Most recently, Beyonce Knowles made a big statement when she wore an $11000+ Balmain military jacket to a casual dinner with husband Jay-Z at Waverly Inn Restaurant in NYC. The jacket, which headlined Balmain’s Spring 2009 collection, was mixed with Anlo jeans and Vera Wang Niki bag with smoke crystal motorcycle chain. The rest of celebrities are inside:

We got curious about things Rihanna wears when she goes to vacation spots like Hawaii or her native Barbados. We are talking about street clothes — not beachwear.  Young, Black & Fabulous has really great Rihanna photo coverage, and we’ve linked to several photos of theirs. Check the story inside:

NEW YORK – R’n'B star Rihanna looked amazing while having dinner at New York’s West Village hot spot, Italian restaurant Da Silvano (where she is regular).

The Barbadian beauty was seen wearing a gray knit bolero cardigan with faux fur collar by Under Cover* (from Fall 2008 collection), white t-shirt and Pratt’s Motorcycle Jeans (retails for $228). Rihanna accessorized with Gucci aviator sunglasses, a snake skin shoes, gray driving gloves and a gun necklace.

Follow the links below to get Rihanna’s style:

White James Perse T-shirt $50.00.

Zipped leg jeans $81.00.

Gucci aviator sunglasses $139.

Via Spiga Snake print shoes $101.91.

AK-47 gun necklace $300.

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PHOTO CREDIT: James Devaney Photography.

 

 * Under Cover is a Japanese label by founded by designer Jun Takahashi. Under Cover was little known outside Japan until February 2008 when Under Cover Fall 2008 collection was shown during Paris Fashion Week.

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK — Barbadian beauty Rihanna was an inspiration behind GUCCI’s Tattoo Heart Collection which was launched in New York in November 2008. 

We found several behind-the-scenes video clips taped during Gucci Italian photoshoot with Rihanna. It was really interesting to watch Rihanna’s input and influence on the Collection during creative sessions with Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini. We also liked Rihanna’s personal remarks on fashion and style. At some point she even revealed plans to launch her own fashion line in the future.

Gucci donates 25% from sale of items from White Tattoo Heart Collection to UNICEF charity. By the way, Rihanna herself loves to support charities.