Balmain

Balmain is a French fashion house, which was founded in 1946 by Pierre Balmain. Around his time, Balmain was seen as top designer of the French fashion scene, outfitting iconic screen sirens such as Ava Gardner and Brigitte Bardot. Following Balmain’s death in 1982, the fashion house underwent a succession of designers that included Erik Mortensen, Hervé Pierre Braillard, Oscar de la Renta, Laurent Mercier, and Christophe Lebourg.

Perhaps, most notable in recent history was the design work of Christophe Decarin from 2005 to 2011. The designer brought a cool rebellious edge to Balmain men. The label became known for its leather jackets and slim-fit denim jeans.

After Decarin’s abrupt departure, Olivier Rousteing became creative director of Balmain. Bringing a new era to the fashion house, Rousteing represented a star designer, embracing social media, and popular models. Under Rousteing’s direction, Balmain has become more opulent and flashy.