Dispatches from Paris: Brocade at Balmain, colour blocking at Balenciaga and sequinned booties at Barbara Bui

Parisians sure take their fashion trends seriously. Everyone here--from babies to grannies--is wearing Breton stripes, even though it’s still parka weather. The catwalks, meanwhile, are taking a walk on the wilder side for fall 2010.  As of day three, the rich rocker chic dominates as the new icon of Parisian style. There were velvet brocade frock coats (think Mick Jagger) and mini-dresses embellished with gold chains at Balmain, croc leggings and booties embroidered over and over again with metallic sequins and fringe at Barbara Bui (see the video above). An emerging trend: colour blocking and patchwork, both dark and moody, or sweetly sci-fi as at Balenciaga.

Click the images below to see looks from Balmain and Balenciaga Read more from Paris Fashion Week Fall 2010