We’re not entirely sure what it means that a licensee will be in charge of design, but that’s the unusual path taken by Balmain for its new lower-priced line, Pierre Balmain, following the recent departure of creative director Christophe Decarnin. Announced today and scheduled for spring 2012, the men’s and women’s line will be designed, produced and distributed to 700 stores by Ittierre SpA, an Italian manufacturer, while Balmain will oversee image and press. The new range will retain the rock ‘n’ roll vibe of its parent label, but not at the instruction of new creative director Olivier Rousteing, who’ll have no involvement. Strange, right? One thing we do know is, while €120 ($175) may seem pricey for a T-shirt, it’s a fraction of Balmain proper.