If I could pick one thing that Christophe Decarnin has taught me, it's to appreciate shoulders. The Balmain designer is all about the shoulders, and, most importantly, he knows how to make them look fierce but still feminine. Where once I avoided all things shoulder-padded with a ten-foot-pole, now I tiptoe carefully and curiously. My closet now houses a few blazers, some of which fit like a glove, some that are menswear inspired, and even one that has the once-dreaded padding! I've learned, thanks to Decarnin, that big shoulders are chic, and even better if I can streamline the rest of the silhouette.

look from SS09 (left), look from FW09 (right)
I've also learned (à la Decarnin) that the more embellished the look is, the better.