How to make your own distressed Jeans..

Christophe Decarnin filled Balmain's spring '09 runway with models in jeans in various states of disrepair. Prices for the designer versions range from $1,900 (for a basic pair) to $4,400 (for an intricately embroidered, "very distressed" style). Inspired by their cool look, resourceful InStyle fashion assistant Katie Casamassimo took out her materials and tools (right) to make her own interpretation.

Here's how:

Step 1: Bunch areas on old black jeans and pour a bit of Clorox on each. "When you're happy with the color," Casamassimo says, "rinse out the bleach."

Step 2: Sand the knees and the fronts of the thighs with heavy grit paper.

Step 3: Slice the areas you want ripped and pick apart the fibers in the weave.

Step 4: Machine wash and dry your version -- twice. "That distresses clothes even more," she says.