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.
Pierre Balmain Elegant Beadwork Choker
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Original Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Elegant Beadwork Choker from the 1950's. Bias chiffon covered "tube" base with hand beaded fringe of hand made pate de verre beads, faux p...
Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five 5 Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five 5 Swirl Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Chunky Statement Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100% Genuine. ...
Gold Plate
Pierre Balmain Vintage Jewelled Medallion Crest Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Nice, FR
PIERRE BALMAIN vintage gold toned necklace featuring a PIERRE BALMAIN medallion crest at center embellished with clear crystals. Secure clasp closure. Embossed PB Paris. Indicativ...
Gilt Metal
05.00 Carat Round Cut Diamond Riviera Necklace in 14K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece comes directly from the vault of Atlantic Diamond Company—a family-run fine jewelry house with nearly 50 years of history serving elite collectors, retailers, and dealers ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold 5.4 Gm Ball Station chain Necklace, Italian 15.5"
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold 5.4 Gm Ball Station chain Necklace, Italian 15.5" 1.6 MM wide 15.5 Inches long Necklace Beautiful box chain necklace with ball stations, There are 19 b...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Multi Strands High Quality Emeralds Choker Gold Necklace
Located in Napoli, Campania
Choker necklace composed of three strand of emeralds with a closure in 14Kt yellow gold. emeralds (185Kt) tot weight 42.7gr Rf. 584339 For any inquiries,please contact the seller t...
Emerald, 14k Gold
Vintage Pearl & Emerald Paste Multistrand Torsade Choker 1960s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Pearl & Emerald Paste Choker. Demure and daring and undoubtedly eternally elegant. An unsigned beauty. A rare treasure. Just because a jewel doesn’t carry a designer name, ...
Luxurious 17.30cts Diamond Cluster 18K Yellow Gold Statment Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
Estate diamond necklace crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, showcasing an impressive arrangement of brilliant round and baguette cut diamonds totaling approximately 17.30 carats. The sc...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian 18K Yellow Gold Articulated Snake Choker Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Fine Italian substantial 18K yellow gold articulated Snake statement necklace Milan, 1980's Classic wide gold necklaces have been treasured for cen...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
0.12 Carat Diamonds in 14K Yellow Gold Cross Necklace
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Diamond Carat Weight: This graceful cross necklace features a total of 0.12 carats of diamonds. The diamonds, carefully selected for their brilliance, consist of 29 round-cut stones....
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tourmaline and pearl necklace
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is a delicate and pretty but very sophisticated fringed necklace. The necklace consists of “fringes” of tubular form tourmaline gems. The fringes of tourmaline “sticks” are se...
Morganite, Pearl, Tourmaline
Vintage 14K Gold Tubogas Necklace or Bracelet
Located in Venice, CA
Circa the 1970’s, this 14k gold necklace is a revival of a World War II era jewelry making technique called tubogas. A hollow, flexible tube consisting of interlocking gold links ma...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Holbeinesque Pendant
Located in London, GB
A Victorian Holbeinesque pendant, set to the centre with an oval cabochon-cut garnet measuring 18mm x 13mm, surrounded by six old brilliant-cut diamonds, set within yellow gold squar...
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold, 18k Gold
1910s Platinum Natural Pearl and Diamond Choker Necklace
Located in Roma, RM
An exceptional Belle Époque choker necklace dating to the 1910s, crafted in platinum and composed of multiple strands of natural pearls, centered b...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Christian Dior by John Galliano 1999 Haute Couture moonstone Massai necklace
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Christian Dior by John Galliano Haute Couture 1999 collection moonstone Massai Choker necklace. It’s a necklace so wanted and highly collectible.
Moonstone
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five 5 Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five 5 Swirl Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Chunky Statement Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100% Genuine. ...
Gold Plate
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five 5 Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five 5 Swirl Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Chunky Statement Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100% Genuine. ...
Gold Plate
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five Conch Shell Charms Pendant Chunky Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five Conch Shell Charms Pendant Chunky Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100% Genuine. A unique piece. Rare t...
Gold Plate
Vintage PIERRE BALMAIN Medallion Crest Rhinestone Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PIERRE BALMAIN Medallion Crest Rhinestone Necklace Measurements: Height: 2 5/8 inches Wearable Length: 16 1/8 inches Features: - 100% ...
Pierre Balmain Vintage Jewelled Medallion Crest Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Nice, FR
PIERRE BALMAIN vintage gold toned necklace featuring a PIERRE BALMAIN medallion crest at center embellished with clear crystals. Secure clasp closure. Embossed PB Paris. Indicativ...
Pierre Balmain Vintage Egyptian Revival Scarab Choker Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Nice, FR
PIERRE BALMAIN vintage Egyptian revival scarab choker necklace. This necklace consists of three raws of gold tone chain with white glass beads. Centra...