Overview

• Pierre Balmain launched the house in 1945 from 44 Rue François 1er with the waist-cinched 'Jolie Madame' silhouette that drew royals and Hollywood alike.
• The founder forged deep ties with stars including Josephine Baker, Brigitte Bardot, Katharine Hepburn and Sophia Loren, with stage, film and couture commissions that shaped mid‑century glamour.
• Iconic clients such as Dalida and Queen Sirikit left richly documented wardrobes now preserved and exhibited, underscoring the brand’s archival footprint.
• After decades of creative handovers, Olivier Rousteing took the helm in 2011 at age 25, revived couture, codified the 'Balmain Army' and expanded partnerships with Disney, H&M, Evian, Porsche, Puma and the Opéra de Paris.
• Rousteing’s celebrity-driven momentum includes an ongoing collaboration with Beyoncé, a 17‑look couture project in 2023, and headline moments with Cher, Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X, Tyla and Jenna Ortega.