News just in: Christophe Decarnin is leaving Balmain

News has just hit this morning that Christophe Decarnin is leaving his creative director role at Balmain after five years working at the label – and no, a successor hasn’t been appointed as of yet, so cue the speculation rumours.

“Since 1945, the house of Pierre Balmain has been one of the leading French and international luxury brands,” Balmain’s ceo Alain Hivelin said in a statement this morning, reports Vogue UK. “Christophe Decarnin’s work with the house’s design team contributed to the success that the brand has enjoyed in recent years.”

Gossip began to spiral that Decarnin was leaving the house of Balmain ever since his absence from the label’s autumn/winter 2011 show in March – according to a spokesperson for the brand Decarnin was signed off under doctor’s orders, which lead to speculation that he’d actually been in a mental health institution since January.

Decarnin will undoubtedly be remembered for his ingenious work for Balmain over the years, alongside his characterisation of the rock/military look he’s so largely credited for introducing onto the fashion scene.

His passion for fashion will not be forgotten anytime soon. Where will he go next, we wonder?