Photos courtesy of Time Inc. Digital Studio

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.

Hey, if it works for InStyle, we're pretty sure it'll work for us. Will you be giving this transformation a try?

Not Just Jeans

    Rachel Bilson
    Our favorite celebs know that denim doesn't have to be worn as trousers. Here, Rachel Bilson teams a classic Levi's denim jacket with boots and a skirt, for a casual daytime look.

    INFphoto.com

    Cameron Diaz
    Cameron Diaz does casual well. The actress carried an oversized denim Chanel bag -- and wore faded cutoffs -- in New York City.

    Hector Vallenilla, Pacific Coast News

    Ashley Olsen
    Actress and fashionista Ashley Olsen dressed down in skinny pants and a timeless denim shirt in Beverley Hills.

    COP/Buzz Foto

    Kate Bosworth
    Kate Bosworth paired a denim trilby with the jeans of the moment -- high-waisted flares.

    Josephine Santos, Pacific Coast News

    Sienna Miller
    A vest was the perfect denim choice for boho-chic brit Sienna Miller. The actress kept her look feminine with a frilly top and necklace.

    Bauer-Griffin

    Elle MacPherson
    Elle MacPherson -- known as The Body -- kept her supermodel self covered in a demure denim skirt.

    Bauer-Griffin

    Eve
    Eve wore a tailored halter top made from dark blue denim. The songstress' fashion line, Fetish, includes plenty of denim clothing.

    Steve Marcus, Reuters

    Jessica Alba
    Jessica Alba looked tanned and terrific in a corseted dark denim Dolce & Gabbana dress.

    Albert L. Ortega, WireImage.com

    Naomi Watts
    Actress Naomi Watts teamed her short, paneled denim skirt with black shoes and glasses, and a lacy black blouse.

    Andy Athineos, BEImages

    Kate Moss
    Supermodel Kate Moss is known for staying on the cutting edge of fashion. No surpise then that she jazzed up her Siwy Camilla cutoffs -- traditionally a summer look -- with opaque tights and a slouchy sweater in winter.

    Keeble-Robinson/SplashNewsOnline.com