Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer's postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.
From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Balmain's founder was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.
Today’s Balmain has more in common with the master’s original haute couture than you might expect: sharply tailored blazers that nip in at the waist, delicate stilettos and ultra-feminine evening dresses are wardrobe basics for the 21st-century woman, too. Lovers of couture history will also prize the fluid, easy sketches from the master’s own hand they’ll find on offer here, while fashionistas clamor for the brand’s t-shirts, military-style jackets and skinny jeans.
Whether you’re a colonel in Rousteing’s “glamour army” or you fancy yourself a “Jolie Madame,” a Balmain piece — from the 1960s or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, Balmain feels right now.
Find vintage Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
Exceptional Vintage Pierre Balmain Black Strapless Jumpsuit w/ Regal Embroidery
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional, and super rare vintage PIERRE BALMAIN black strapless jumpsuit! Wonderful wide leg palazzos, that are so flattering, and uber chic! Regal hand embroidery at bodice, ador...
Pierre Balmain black & Purple ensemble
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain suit ensemble is fully lined with silk. The jacket is safari style with four (4) patch pockets. The full length of the jacket measures 26 1/2", underarm circumfer...
1954 Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Silk Brocade Dress and Jacket Suit
By Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
This 1950s silk brocade two piece couture dress set has a stunning paisley pattern in pink and gold threads. The dress features a scalloped edge trim to the top of the bodice and thr...
$1,412
Balmain Green Woolen Set
By Balmain, Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain - (Made in France) Green woolen set composed of a jacket and a dress, and with navy-blue and white large grain trimmings with braids. Missing size and composition labels, it ...
Dolce & Gabbana Flower Applique Pants and Fringe Trim Top
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Water Mill, NY
A stunning black pant and top/vest set from Dolce & Gabbana covered in silk flowers of different varieties and colors. The V neck top is midriff length wi...
Rare Bill Gibb Devore Silk Velvet Evening Ensemble
By Bill Gibb
Located in Geneva, CH
Incredible early 70s "dévoré" silk velvet and gold lame set composed of a short kimono-caftan and a long buttoned maxi skirt. The top is cut wide with sleeves opening down the waist....
Oriental Silk Blend Emerald Green Velvet Embellished Sequin Blazer and Skirt S
Located in PUTNEY, NSW
Oriental Silk Blend Emerald Green Velvet Embellished Blazer & Skirt Set Exuding timeless elegance and artisanal craftsmanship, this exquisite two-piece ensemble features a luxurious...
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960-70’s 2pc Multicolor Rose Silk Velvet Blouse Pant Set
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Thiensville, WI
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960-70’s 2pc Multicolor Rose Silk Velvet Blouse Pant Set Circa: 1970’s - Top, 1960’s - Pant Label(s): Emilio Pucci / Exclusively ...
Dior 30 Montaigne Bar Jacket Off-White Ecru Plumetis Tulle Skirt Set FR38
By Christian Dior
Located in Jersey City, NJ
The 30 Montaigne Bar jacket and plumetis tulle skirt represent the most iconic ensemble in the history of Dior - a timeless symbol of femininity, structure, and grace. First introduc...
1978 YVES SAINT LAURENT metallic caftan cape and dress ensemble
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This stunning Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche two-piece ensemble, dating to circa 1978, is made of a sheer silk chiffon woven with metallic threads forming a dense floral motif in ton...
$4,999
Size: 42 (ITALIAN) US 6-8
UNWORN Dolce & Gabbana Silk Lace Bone Corset Dress, Coat & Brooch Ensemble 3PCS
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Switzerland, CH
Stunning 3PCS Ensemble by Dolce & Gabbana From a mid 2000s collection Can be worn as a suit or each piece by itselm Beautiful gold-metallic lace Overlayed with finest black silk...
Alfred Bosand Black Point D-Esprit Gown and Cape with Ruffles - M - 1960's
By Alfred Bosand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Alfred Bosand Black Point D-Esprit Gown and Cape with Ruffles - M - 1960's. This ensemble has a sexy 60's look. The gown has spaghetti straps and a black lining with point d'esprit o...
Moschino Halter Tuxedo Jumpsuit
By Moschino, Moschino Cheap and Chic
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black halter jumpsuit from Moschino. It is double breasted with 6 buttons matching the satin peak lapels and hip pocket flaps. Semi f...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, black long sleeve jumpsuit zipper back and flared bottoms
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingston, NY
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, black long sleeve jumpsuit zipper back and flared bottoms. Made of man-made stretchy material. Zipper closure at the back of the neck. Size; US 8 Measurements; ...
Off-white linen and silk chiffon skirt-suit Chanel Boutique
By Chanel Boutique
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Off-white linen and silk chiffon skirt-suit with branded gold metal buttons. Silk "CC" branded lining. Shoulder pad. SIZE L ( jacket) and S ( skirt) t the waist is tiny)
$14,999
Size: Skirt 38, Jacket 40
UNWORN Dolce & Gabbana Bondage Buckle Leather Jacket Skirt Suit Ensemble Y2K KIM
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Switzerland, CH
Dolce & Gabbana Bondage Leather Skirt Jacket Suit Combination An extremely rare find and vintage piece Seen on Kim Kardashian in Milano Finest nappa leather Fully lined with bla...
Vest and trouser in damask velvet ensemble PIERRE BALMAIN IVOIRE Circa 1970's
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Vest and trouser in damask velvet ensemble. Velvet composition: 54% rayon, 30% silk, 16% cotton. Silk lining. One button and buttonhole closure on the top middle front. Split on bot...
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Size: Equivalent French Size 38
A Pierre Balmain Ceremonial Satin Evening Dress Bolero and Purse Circa 1950
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1950 France Pierre Balmain Paris evening or ceremony dress with matching bolero and purse from the 1950s. Ivory Duchess satin embroidered with white and silver tulbular pearls,...
Pierre Balmain 1970's Numbered Haute Couture Yellow Silk Tunic & Pants
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New Hope, PA
A 1970's saffron yellow silk tunic and matching pants from Balmain, Paris is the perfect, pulled together ensemble for the girl in a hurry. Add some great shoes, a little jewelry and...
Pierre Balmain 1960s Haute Couture Ivory Silk Gazar Bridal Dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
This magnificent Pierre Balmain circa 1968 haute couture silk gazar bridal dress suit in ivory is of superb quality and in impeccable vintage condition. Extolled for the sculptural quality that characterises his work, Balmain lovingly described dressmaking as "the architecture of movement", and was favoured by iconic figures Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn as well as famously Queen Sirikit...
Balmain Long Tunic and Pant Ensemble
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain, multi tone, sheer, geometric patterned, sleeveless, maxi tunic and matching pant ensemble. Dress/tunic is slit on both sides from the waist to hem exposing the pan...
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Size: Equivalent French Size 38
A Pierre Balmain Ceremonial Satin Evening Dress Bolero and Purse Circa 1950
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1950 France Pierre Balmain Paris evening or ceremony dress with matching bolero and purse from the 1950s. Ivory Duchess satin embroidered with wh...
PIERRE BALMAIN 40 Regular 2-Button Navy Wool 34 32 Suit
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Francisco, CA
PIERRE BALMAIN Suit consists of wool material in a navy color tone. Designed with a notch lapel collar, 2-button front, silhouette tone-on-tone stitching and front flap pockets. Deta...
1980s Haute Couture Pierre Balmain Linen "Wasp" Suit with PVC
By Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
Amazing, quirky little 1980s skirt suit by Pierre Balmain - haute couture label. This set consists of a gorgeous and beautifully made black linen jacket with matching double layer b...
Pierre Balmain Black & Navy wrap-tie pant ensemble
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain black & navy pant ensemble comes with a wrap-style jacket. The jacket comes with a self tie belt measuring 62 1/2" by 2" and also a single black button off center. ...
Pierre Balmain Beaded Haute Couture
By Pierre Balmain, Oscar De La Renta
Located in New Hope, PA
This Pierre Balmain Haute Couture suit has an absolutely stunning beaded and embroidered jacket. The work is subtle and elegant, as only...
Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Four Piece Ensemble
By Pierre Balmain, Oscar De La Renta
Located in New Hope, PA
A soft green linen is paired with cotton pique in this versatile four piece ensemble from Pierre Balmain Haute Couture designed by Oscar d...
Pierre Balmain Late 40s Summer Suit - Fantastic Tailoring!
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Gresham, OR
This is a wonderful Pierre Balmain summer weight skirt suit in a great almond color neutral tone! It is from the late 40s and has very similar design elements in the jacket as Dior's "New Look," with inverted pleating and unusual front placket! The skirts back is gorgeous with 6 tiered box...