First look: Balmain's lower-priced line

(Pierre Balmain)

The brand that famously sells t-shirts for $1,600 is adapting to the rougher economic climate, launching a more affordable line called Pierre Balmain next spring.

While the fashion crowd hopes the new label will stay true to Balmain's signature rock'n'roll feel established by former designer Christophe Decarnin, its creative direction will take place outside the fashion house: the entire production will be overseen by Italian licensee Ittierre SpA, which already has similar agreements with lines like Just Cavalli, and not by Balmain's new designer Olivier Rousteing.

According to a press release, the collection will include t-shirts (from €120), jeans (€250), jackets (€350), and suits (€650) for both men and women.

http://www.balmain.com