Military chic at Paris fashion week

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Models present a creation by French fashion designer Christophe Decarnin for Balmain's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 collection.

A model presents a creation by French fashion designer Christophe Decarnin for Balmain's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 collection.

Models present a creation by French fashion designer Christophe Decarnin for Balmain's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 collection.

A model presents a creation by French fashion designer Christophe Decarnin for Balmain's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 collection.

A model presents a creation by French fashion designer Christophe Decarnin for Balmain's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 collection.

A model presents a creation by French fashion designer Christophe Decarnin for Balmain's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 collection.

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Balmain's army-themed Spring/Summer 10 collection was a hit at Paris Fashion Week.

The label's chief designer Christophe Decarnin - who is responsible for this season's soaring trend of angular-shouldered military jackets and ripped jeans - has been praised for his highly-anticipated distressed military line.

The fashion industry's biggest names turned up en masse to see the coveted designer's creations, which focused on leather, khaki prints and faded denim.

The worn fabrics feature bleach stains, holes and had been aged to resemble army surplus stores and second hand shops.

Despite the distressed style, his well-tailored frock coats and tail coats, mini-skirts and bikini bottoms, army shirts and T-shirts went down well with the audience,  including R'n'B singer Rihanna.

The beauty used the occasion to team up her new hairstyle, a plantinum-bleached Mohican, with a basque, harem trousers and strong-shouldered satin tuxedo blazer.

In contrast to Decarnin's relaxed designs, Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere showcased his bright, vintage floral prints, accessories and techno designs.

Catwalk models strutted down the runway with neon flashes on their eyes while wearing '3D foam' ensembles.

The wild designs teamed natural textiles, including hand-woven leather, ostrich-skin and silk, with sharp bright shades, patchwork and see-through side panels.

Ghesquiere said: "It's a dis-construction. I wanted to make an eclectic collage, to go back to what I used to do. I wanted to mix authenticity and techno, real and artificial, organic dyes and graphics. It was a challenge."

Meanwhile, British designer Peter Copping made his Paris debut at the house of Nina Ricci with a collection of elaborately flouncy, floral and feminine designs.

His pink leather, tiered and chiffon collection was teamed with matching bras, lace and ribbons in dusky pinks and soft lilacs.

A host of celebrity fashionistas are expected to attend the shows today as red carpet designers Christian Dior, Lanvin and Dame Vivienne Westwood take to the runway.

British supermodel Naomi Campbell has secured her seat at Dior this afternoon and is expected to be seated alongside singer Prince and Hollywood actor Bruce Willis.

- Bang! Showbiz