Balmain Again and Again

[background] Balmain is a French fashion house founded by Pierre Balmain. In 1990s, the house was lead by Oscar de la Renta. Those two made Balmain famous for its classic and luxurious designs. Right now it is lead by Christopher Decarnin, whose vision for the house is modern & edgy - tres rock n roll chic.

Personally, I think that just because we're in a recession, it doesn't have to mean all our clothes/shoes/access. have to become severe & austere. If the world is going to fall apart...we might as well all go out looking fabulous. On to the shoes.

Balmain's Spring 2009 Covet-worthy Heels on Jen Connelly's fab legs

By now, every girl who loves fashion and isn't living under a - fairly big - rock in central middle of nowheresville has heard of Balmain's studded sparkly heels, and their exorbitant (maybe?) price. I love the shoe. LOVE. Sexy, rock n roll, delicious. Definitely a "get noticed" by the ladies shoe. But - I feel it's only something you can wear once. Like a really great surprise or listening to "Poker Face" again and again, the appeal will be diminished if you keep wearing it, right?

a copycat pair at the DSW in my hometown

So that's the closest I'll get to the Balmains - but take a gander at all these other *inspirations*...

Rumi @ Fashion Toast wearing Aldos
A pair from Zara at Electric Feel
Budget Balmains (ick) at ShoeWaWa
The Look for Less at FabSugar