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, Pierre Balmain 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 Balmain learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, Balmain’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.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since Pierre Balmain’s death in 1982, the design reins 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 Balmain dresses, skirts, shoes and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
BALMAIN black wool DOUBLE BREASTED Blazer Jacket 40 M
By Balmain
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Balmain two button blazer in black wool (95%) and elastane (5%). Features slip pocket on the chest, two slip pockets and buttoned cuffs. Closes with embossed logo gold...
CHANEL black viscose 22K SEQUIN TWEED Coat Jacket 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel coat in black tweed crafted from a luxurious blend of viscose (56%), silk (24%), polyamide (18%) and polyester (2%). The richly textured fabric is woven with si...
CHANEL black wool 20A RUE CAMBON FRINGE TWEED Jacket 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel jacket in black tweed wool (with 2% polyamide). Features an elegant, fitted silhouette with a longer length and a flattering V-neckline. Designed with four faux...
BALMAIN black leather DOUBLE BREASTED TRENCH Jacket 38 S
By Balmain
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Balmain double-breasted trench coat in black lambskin leather (100%). Features a tailored midi length silhouette, gold-tone B logo buttons, two flap pockets on the fro...
VALENTINO black PERSIAN LAMB FUR CROPPED Jacket 40 M
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino military style jacket in black persian lamb fur. With flat collar, detachable neck band, epaulettes, raglan sleeves, two diagonal pockets...
SAINT LAURENT black wool 2019 LUREX CLASSIC Coat Jacket 38 S
By Saint Laurent
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Saint Laurent single breasted coat in black wool (59%), polyamide (22%), acetate (18%), polyester (2%) and elastane (2%). Features two slit-pockets on the front, butto...
NWT Balmain Black Wool Cashmere Straight Coat Sz.40/L
By Balmain
Located in Krakow, PL
Balmain Wool Straight Coat with Statement Buttons Size: FR40 L Condition: Never worn, comes with tags Closure: Buttons Fit: Straight Material: 90% Wool, 10% Cashmere; Lining 52% Vi...
Black Tweed wrapped jacket with sequin edge ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER
By Alexandre Vauthier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black Tweed wrapped jacket with sequin edge . Main fabric composition: 27% nylon, 73% acrylic. Lining composition: 75% rayon, 25% polyester. Pocket on both side. Split on the sleeve...
Black Tweed wrapped jacket with sequin edge ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER
By Alexandre Vauthier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black Tweed wrapped jacket with sequin edge . Main fabric composition: 27% nylon, 73% acrylic. Lining composition: 75% rayon, 25% polyester. Pocket on both side. Split on the sleeve...
Balmain Black Sequin Double-Breasted Blazer & Matching Trousers – FR 38
By Balmain
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Balmain Black Sequin Double-Breasted Blazer & Matching Trousers – FR 38 – Olivier Rousteing Era “An iconic Balmain runway look — the perfect marriage of Parisian tailoring and show-stopping glamour, worthy of any couture collection.” Description: From the house of Balmain under Creative Director Olivier Rousteing comes this opulent black sequin pantsuit, a striking combination of Parisian tailoring and red-carpet glamour. • Blazer: Double-breasted silhouette with padded shoulders, sculpted waist, and six signature gold-tone embossed buttons. Fully embellished with glossy black paillettes for a dramatic shimmer. • Trousers: Slim-cut ankle-length pants with tuxedo-stripe effect, also covered in black sequins for a perfectly matched look. • Label Codes: Blazer Style No. 137294 278X (Made in Bulgaria); Trousers Style No. 135484 145K (Made in Italy). • Season/Year: Circa Fall/Winter 2015–2017. Materials: • Blazer body: 100% polyester with viscose/acetate contrast, viscose/cotton lining. • Pants body: 98% cotton, 2% elastane with 100% polyester sequins. Measurements (FR 38 / US 4–6): • Blazer: Bust 34″, Waist 30″, Shoulder 15″, Length 24″, Sleeve 24″. • Pants: Waist 30″, Hips 37″, Rise 9″, Inseam 31″, Hem 6.5″. Condition: Excellent pre-owned, no missing sequins, clean interior. Tags: Balmain Sequin Suit...
Balmain Black Wool Single Breasted Blazer Mini Dress
By Balmain
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Black single button suit dress - padded shoulders Size 40 Bust 34" Waist 31" Hips 40" Length 34" Back zip closure - faux front button Button sleeve details Great overall condit...
SAINT LAURENT 2021 black wool sequinned tweed gold button jacket FR34 XS
By Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello
Located in Hong Kong, NT
SAINT LAURENT 2021 black wool sequinned tweed gold button jacket FR34 XS Reference: AAWC/A00717 Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Anthony Vaccarello Collection: 2021 Material: Wool, Ble...
Expertly embroidered and carefully constructed, it's a sparking example of the period's glamorous designs.
Under the creative direction of Daniel Roseberry, the brand is back in the cultural conversation.
