Balmain was founded in 1945 by Pierre Balmain. From the outset, Monsieur Balmain’s boldly feminine and opulent signature style offered a startling contrast to the utilitarian looks of the day, creating a distinctive, super-feminine DNA for the house, which relied on richly embroidered fabrics, nipped-in waists, and longer, often fuller skirts. It quickly transformed the Parisian house into a favourite of both European and Hollywood royalty.
In 2011 at just 25 years of age, Olivier Rousteing was named the Creative Director of the Brand. Under his reign, Balmain has successfully grafted an immediately recognizable style. While relying on the house’s rich archives for inspiration and fully utilizing the atelier’s impressive mastery of intricate, traditional couture techniques, Rousteing has also managed to impose a singular silhouette and contemporary outlook that reflect the way that member of the “Balmain Army’ – the young men and women of the designer’s own generation – live their lives.
Season after season runways highlight both the exciting, inclusive diversity of the modern Balmain universe and the importance of 21st-Century culture – in particular, today’s music – in that universe.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning more about Balmain Clothing and the history of this iconic fashion house. If you want to shop Balmain in South Africa please visit https://www.apsley.co.za/our-brands/fashion/balmain/