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.
NWT Balmain Black Over the Knee Velvet Silver Metal Chain Heel Boots It 39 US 9
By Balmain
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Balmain Black Velvet Leather High Heel Boots Designer size 39 - US 9 Velvet and Leather, Silver Tone Metal Chain, Fully Lined in Black Leather, Over the Knee Style, Leather Sole,...
New Belstaff Runway GAINSBOROUGH Leather Black Knee-High Boots 39.5 - US 9.5
By Belstaff
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Belstaff Runway GAINSBOROUGH Leather Boots Designer size 39.5 - US 9.5 For the Perfect Textured Look, this Smooth and Pebble-Grain Calfskin Silhouette with Sleek Metal Hardware ...
New Roberto Cavalli Buckle Stiletto Heel Black Leather Platform Boots 37 - US 7
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Roberto Cavalli Black Leather High Heel Boots Designer size - 37 Style - BQS023-PZ220 Smooth Black Leather, Multiple Straps, Gold-Tone Buckles with Engraved Logo, Inner Half Zip...
New Roberto Cavalli Black Stretch-Velvet Thigh High Boots Size 39 - 9
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Montgomery, TX
ROBERTO CAVALLI BLACK STRETCH-VELVET BOOTS IT Size 39 - US 9 Hidden platform Made in Italy Brand New, in original box.
New Versace Black Leather Suede Greek Key Gold Tone Heel Over Knee Boots 38
By Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Versace Black Greek Key Heel Thigh High Boots Italian size - 38. Black Leather and Stretch Suede, Over the Knee Style, Gold Tone Metal Greek Motive Heel, Side Half Zip Closure, ...
New Versace Over-the-knee Gold-tone Hardware Black Leather Boots It 39 - US 9
By Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
Versace Over-the-Knee Leather Boots with Gold-Tone Hardware Italian size 39 - US 9 Striking over-the-knee boots from Versace, crafted in smooth black leather with a sleek, sculptural...
GIANVITO ROSSI black leather Pointed Toe Over Knee Boots Shoes 38
By Gianvito Rossi
Located in Zürich, CH
Gianvito Rossi pointed-toe block-heel over-knee boots in black smooth lambskin. Have been worn and show minimal wear to the tips, overall in very good condition. Imprinted Size 38 ...
Versace Boot Thigh High Black Very Soft Leather Boots 39 /9
By Versace
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Versace sensational butter soft black thigh high pull on boots. Rear of foot has metal V embossed Versace. Pointed toe and stiletto heel. Inside zip at ankle. fi...
Saint Laurent Niki Black Leather Wedge Over-the-Knee Boots Sz.38
By Saint Laurent
Located in Krakow, PL
Saint Laurent Niki Over-the-Knee Boots Wedge Heel Sz.38 Condition: Very good, minimal signs of wear on the sole, leather, and slight scuffs on the shaft; recommended preventive car...
Yves Saint Laurent Over-the-Knee Black Leather Boots Fall Winter 2012 Size 39
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Yves Saint Laurent Over-the-Knee Black Leather Boots, Fall Winter 2012 Size 39 Description: A rare and iconic pair of Yves Saint Laurent over-the-knee boots, crafted in supple black...
Stuart Weitzman Ultrastuart 100 Thigh-High Boots in Black Satin
By Stuart Weitzman
Located in Houston, TX
Turn heads in the Stuart Weitzman Ultrastuart 100 Thigh-High Boots, designed in luxurious black satin for a sleek, leg-lengthening silhouette. The stiletto heel and over-the-knee fit...
Dolce & Gabbana Black Nappa & Patent Leather Knee-High Stiletto Boots FW13
By Dolce & Gabbana, D&G by DOLCE & GABBANA
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Dolce & Gabbana Black Nappa & Patent Leather Knee-High Stiletto Boots FW13, Made in Italy A striking example of Dolce & Gabbana’s 2013 Fall/Winter era of bold femininity, these scul...
Expertly embroidered and carefully constructed, it's a sparking example of the period's glamorous designs.
Composed of a mishmash of patterns and textures, the dress's disparate elements somehow come together to make a harmonious whole.
