Everything You Need to Know About the History and Creation of the Luxury Brand Balmain

If you’re a fan of high-end fashion, you’ve likely heard of the iconic luxury French brand Balmain, a fashion house whose designs scream luxury and opulence. Once a celebrated couturier in the 1950s, Balmain has made a name for itself ever since, making its way into the wardrobes of celebrities, royalty members, and fashion enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will explore the history and creation of the luxury Balmain brand and dive into what makes it so special.

The Early History of Balmain

The Balmain fashion house was founded by the visionary French fashion designer Pierre Balmainin1945. Born in 1914 in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, a small village in the French Alps, Pierre Balmain had many ambitions that enabled him to earn an agrégation in philosophy as well as attend Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After his studies finished, Pierre Balmain was accepted at the Doemens Academy in Munich where he graduated in 1938. During his studies in Germany, Pierre Balmain was greatly inspired by the notion of modernity which played a large part in the early development of his design aesthetic.
Upon his return to France, Pierre Balmain found a job as an assistant to Italian-born Robert Piguet. During his time there, Pierre Balmain gained invaluable industry experience that opened the doors for one of his earliest collections for Christian Dior called Philippe et Gaston. It was his work for Christian Dior that contributed to Pierre Balmain becoming well known amongst high-profile Parisians, including celebrities and royals.

The Iconic Bride of 1955

The iconic “bride’ creation of 1955 is a great example of the genius of Pierre Balmain. This creation was a combination of embroidered tulle applique, rich velvet and intricate embellishments that caught the eye of many fashion connoisseurs. It entered the French salons with great acclaim and showcased the unquestionable skill of Pierre Balmain in haute couture design of his time.
To this day, the “bride’ remains one of Balmain’s most celebrated creations and stands as a testament to its design innovation and excellence that was introduced to fashion during its early days of creation.

The Founding of Maison Balmain

In 1945, Maison Balmain was officially created with the help of friends and family who connected him with wealthy investors and spurred the production of Pierre Balmain’s first haute couture collection under his own name. The house was initially opened at 42 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, not far from its current location at 28 rue François Premier where Maison Balmain still stands even today. It comes as no surprise that Pierre Balmain was among one of the most talked-about designers in Paris at this time due to his unique approach to design and unique way of combining natural fabrics combined with superior craftsmanship.

In 1947, the French Prime Minister Paul Ramadier celebrated France’s new independence by giving a dinner at the Elysée Palace which gave Pierre Balmain his golden opportunity to showcase his talent on an international stage. One year later in 1948, Maison Balmain made its first installment in Le Figaro’s magazine as a contributor and introduced ready-to-wear concepts such as skirts and sweaters which were made available worldwide.

Balmain x Hollywood

In 1950s Hollywood, Balmain remained a staple brand amongst many A-list actors who donned garments from its collection for films or fashion photoshoots. Brigitte Bardot famously wore a signature tiger-print coat for her roles in God Created Woman and The Vixen which was met with immense approval from her fans from her fans across Europe. Meanwhile, Ava Gardner also sported a black velvet dress from the collection for her part in La Déesse des mers, showcasing Pierre Balmain’s designs for an ever increasing audience.
Balmain’s success only continued to grow in light of endorsements from stars and grace on TV programmes ever since. Other celebrities who famously donned garments from the renowned French fashion house include Farah Fawcett, Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Elle MacPherson, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman amongst many other names.

Pierre Balmain Closes Its Doors

In 1982, due to health reasons, Pierre Balmain officially closed his maison which was taken over by Eric Mortensen who was appointed at the head designer of Maison Balmain at the time. Throughout his direction, Eric Mortensen managed to stay true Pierre Balmain’s aesthetic and designs by combining 1950s luxury and modernized pieces for today’s contemporary market.

Olivier Rousteing’s Direction

In 2011 at the age of 25, Olivier Rousteing was appointed as creative director of Maison Balmain after months of anticipation by fashion enthusiasts across the globe. Under his direction, Olivier Rousteing brought back some major developments in terms of design direction which heavily focused on accents such as military-inspired padding paired with highlights of animal prints and shimmery textures which featured heavily on many pieces by the maison since.
With endorsements from stars such as Beyoncé, Rihanna and Gigi Hadid, Olivier Rousteing deemed Maison Balmain as one of the most desirable luxury fashion houses currently on offer with many lines sold out within hours due to their high demand amongst those looking for fashionable garments.

A Look Into Modern Day Maison Balmain

Balmain is now considered one of the most sought after fashion houses across the industry due to its timeless designs that combine modern innovation with age-old craftsmanship which results in iconic pieces season after season. With progressive silhouettes combined with sleek cuts and accents plus classic fabrics like silk, velvet and fabrications like tulle appliqué and beading being featured on garments, it comes as no surprise that many people have elevated their wardrobe with pieces from the maison.

Conclusion

As we learnt throughout this article, Maison Balmain has come a long waysince it’s founding under visionary designer Pierre Balmain to current creative director Olivier Rousteing who has introduced a unique twist on each season’s collection without losing touch with what has been established since 1945. With its celebrity endorsements from some of the world’s most notable stars such as Beyoncé and Rihanna plus its timeless designs that culminate with progressive silhouettes, it comes as no surprise whythis iconic maison is celebrating 75 years this year since its founding. For more information about Maison Balmain, you can visit its official website.