Paris - French Unique Luxury Fashion House since 1945
A Unique History
Pierre Balmain was only 30 years old in August 1944 at the liberation of Paris. Having regained his freedom, Balmain decided that the time had to come to found his tailoring maison, quickly setting up his atelier in a recently vacated space, at 44 Rue due François Premier, which had been requistioned by the Nazis during the long occupation.
The Année Zero
In the designer's memoirs, his feeling of impatience in changing his life is clearly outlined, and at the time he was certainly not the only Parisian who wanted a new beginning. All around the designer the green gems of cultural renaissance were boldly sprouting. France was inaugurating what was later called the year zero, the year zero. After so much destruction, the force of rebirth is not long in making itself felt. The remarkable talents of the time bring forth new, exceptional and surprising points of view in the world of music, literature, theater and cinema: an explosion of creativity triggered in Paris immediately after the war and which continued for decades and decades.
The liberated Paris was indeed hungry for change, original ideas and hope ... but it was also hungry in the true sense of the term. These were very difficult times for many inhabitants of the capital, in an era of rationing, scarcity, instability and fear. Nonetheless, Pierre Balmain, just like other daring talents of liberated France, looked to the future with eyes of optimism and confidence.
In October 1945, Balmain's passion, audacity and original point of view led to his first collection, which presented an extraordinarily fresh and feminine approach, welcomed by Alice B Toklas as the "New French Style". His unique and instantly popular vision secured Pierre Balmain a place among the rare and daring designers responsible for the historic fashion renaissance in France in the postwar period, consecrating Paris as the fashion capital.
The Maison Balmain
Today's Maison Balmain combines the rich heritage of the historic Parisian tailoring house with the unique optimism of Pierre Balmain as well as the modern and inclusive approach of Olivier Rousteing, creative director of the Maison for over ten years. Since 2011, when he started working as a supervisor of the Maison's collections at the tender age of 25, Olivier Rousteing has been determined to design clothes that reflect the way his generation wishes to dress today. The result is a unique and immediately recognizable silhouette, style and approach, which are based on the great savoir-faire of the brand's ateliers, which makes their fame, as well as on the legacy of the founder Pierre Balmain, known, just like Olivier Rousteing, because he was not afraid to challenge established conventions.
With its long tradition of seeking inspiration in engaging art, revolutionary music and the powerful voices of today, Balmain is also the undisputed leader in inventing new and exciting ways to address its audience directly. Balmain's marketing (surprising and often unorthodox) as well as his communication and strategic choices manifest the desire both of Olivier Rousteing and of the entire Maison to democratize and modernize the world of fashion, too often turned in on itself, at the same time openly declaring that Balmain never stays on the sidelines when it comes to pushing the boundaries.
Balmain Today
Since 2016, Balmain has been controlled by Mayhoola For Investments LLC. This allowed rapid growth and a wide range of new possibilities for the historic Maison.
The unique and global vision of Balmain's style is expressed each year in a series of new proposals and creations, with collections for men, women and children, eyewear, leather accessories and luggage.
Rachid M. Rachid is the current president of the Global Holding Group and of AlSara International.
In addition, Rachid M. Rachid is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Italian company Valentino and of Balmain in France.
As CEO of Mayhoola for Investments LLC, Rachid is an investor in the universe of luxury goods and the founder and president of Bidayat, a multinational investment company that supports the formation of creative communities and the organization of businesses around the world.
Rachid is a board member of Katara Hospitality based in Qatar, a hotel owner company that also deals with international hotel development. Previously, since 2004, Rachid was Egypt’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment. He also held the position of executive chairman of Unilever Middle East & Africa.
Rachid holds a BA in Mechanical Engineering from Alexandria University's School of Engineering. He has participated in numerous management management courses, including the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. He is also a member of the Harvard Business School Alumni. He was awarded by the President of the Italian Republic with the honor of "Knight of the Grand Cross Order of Merit of the Italian Republic".
Clothing
Olivier Rousteing celebrates the richness of Balmain's tradition and history in every woman’s collection he creates. Filled with unique and exclusive designs, the archives are a rich source of inspiration, while the atelier, with its sartorial craftsmanship, continues to be an object of admiration. Rousteing blends this tradition with his own modern sensibility.
Balmain Hair Couture
As an integral part of the Balmain Paris fashion house, Balmain Hair boasts more than 45 years of experience in combining hairstyles with the most innovative trends on the catwalk. The collections are inspired by the secrets of the backstage and offer everything a woman needs to create catwalk looks. Over these 45 years, Balmain Hair has consolidated its presence in the luxury sector. We pay a great deal of attention to detail and the continuous search for perfection, from which always new application techniques derive that guarantee the best possible quality of the products, respecting our glorious and thriving heritage.
All collections consist of a complete range of best-selling products. Our design, manufacturing and retail teams continually increase the excellence of Balmain products. The long-term perspective, based on heritage, creativity and innovation, drives the success of Balmain Hair and guarantees it a promising future.
Excellence in Products and Services
Balmain Paris Hair Couture selects and transforms the best hair in the world. This continuous pursuit of excellence allows the company to offer a 6-month guarantee on all real hair products and only with the use of Balmain maintenance products. Excellence does not only concern the quality of the products, but also refers to the selection and placement of our "Partners", who must be able to present Balmain products in the best possible way, making their customers experience the world of Hair Couture.
The greatest session stylists and influencers from around the world have embraced the Balmain Paris Hair Couture style, now present internationally in both the press and online media. No other brand has such a high connection with the fashion world. The arrival of Olivier Rousteing really pushed Balmain into the spotlight: since his appointment as Creative Director, Balmain has gained worldwide visibility and a large number of heterogeneous followers. Balmain Paris Hair Couture is developing its success, respecting the historical heritage that has lasted for over 45 years.
Paris - French Unique Luxury Fashion House since 1945
A Unique History
Pierre Balmain was only 30 years old in August 1944 at the liberation of Paris. Having regained his freedom, Balmain decided that the time had to come to found his tailoring maison, quickly setting up his atelier in a recently vacated space, at 44 Rue due François Premier, which had been requistioned by the Nazis during the long occupation.
The Année Zero
In the designer's memoirs, his feeling of impatience in changing his life is clearly outlined, and at the time he was certainly not the only Parisian who wanted a new beginning. All around the designer the green gems of cultural renaissance were boldly sprouting. France was inaugurating what was later called the year zero, the year zero. After so much destruction, the force of rebirth is not long in making itself felt. The remarkable talents of the time bring forth new, exceptional and surprising points of view in the world of music, literature, theater and cinema: an explosion of creativity triggered in Paris immediately after the war and which continued for decades and decades.
The liberated Paris was indeed hungry for change, original ideas and hope ... but it was also hungry in the true sense of the term. These were very difficult times for many inhabitants of the capital, in an era of rationing, scarcity, instability and fear. Nonetheless, Pierre Balmain, just like other daring talents of liberated France, looked to the future with eyes of optimism and confidence.
In October 1945, Balmain's passion, audacity and original point of view led to his first collection, which presented an extraordinarily fresh and feminine approach, welcomed by Alice B Toklas as the "New French Style". His unique and instantly popular vision secured Pierre Balmain a place among the rare and daring designers responsible for the historic fashion renaissance in France in the postwar period, consecrating Paris as the fashion capital.
The Maison Balmain
Today's Maison Balmain combines the rich heritage of the historic Parisian tailoring house with the unique optimism of Pierre Balmain as well as the modern and inclusive approach of Olivier Rousteing, creative director of the Maison for over ten years. Since 2011, when he started working as a supervisor of the Maison's collections at the tender age of 25, Olivier Rousteing has been determined to design clothes that reflect the way his generation wishes to dress today. The result is a unique and immediately recognizable silhouette, style and approach, which are based on the great savoir-faire of the brand's ateliers, which makes their fame, as well as on the legacy of the founder Pierre Balmain, known, just like Olivier Rousteing, because he was not afraid to challenge established conventions.
With its long tradition of seeking inspiration in engaging art, revolutionary music and the powerful voices of today, Balmain is also the undisputed leader in inventing new and exciting ways to address its audience directly. Balmain's marketing (surprising and often unorthodox) as well as his communication and strategic choices manifest the desire both of Olivier Rousteing and of the entire Maison to democratize and modernize the world of fashion, too often turned in on itself, at the same time openly declaring that Balmain never stays on the sidelines when it comes to pushing the boundaries.
Balmain Today
Since 2016, Balmain has been controlled by Mayhoola For Investments LLC. This allowed rapid growth and a wide range of new possibilities for the historic Maison.
The unique and global vision of Balmain's style is expressed each year in a series of new proposals and creations, with collections for men, women and children, eyewear, leather accessories and luggage.
Rachid M. Rachid is the current president of the Global Holding Group and of AlSara International.
In addition, Rachid M. Rachid is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Italian company Valentino and of Balmain in France.
As CEO of Mayhoola for Investments LLC, Rachid is an investor in the universe of luxury goods and the founder and president of Bidayat, a multinational investment company that supports the formation of creative communities and the organization of businesses around the world.
Rachid is a board member of Katara Hospitality based in Qatar, a hotel owner company that also deals with international hotel development. Previously, since 2004, Rachid was Egypt’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment. He also held the position of executive chairman of Unilever Middle East & Africa.
Rachid holds a BA in Mechanical Engineering from Alexandria University's School of Engineering. He has participated in numerous management management courses, including the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. He is also a member of the Harvard Business School Alumni. He was awarded by the President of the Italian Republic with the honor of "Knight of the Grand Cross Order of Merit of the Italian Republic".
Clothing
Olivier Rousteing celebrates the richness of Balmain's tradition and history in every woman’s collection he creates. Filled with unique and exclusive designs, the archives are a rich source of inspiration, while the atelier, with its sartorial craftsmanship, continues to be an object of admiration. Rousteing blends this tradition with his own modern sensibility.
Balmain Hair Couture
As an integral part of the Balmain Paris fashion house, Balmain Hair boasts more than 45 years of experience in combining hairstyles with the most innovative trends on the catwalk. The collections are inspired by the secrets of the backstage and offer everything a woman needs to create catwalk looks. Over these 45 years, Balmain Hair has consolidated its presence in the luxury sector. We pay a great deal of attention to detail and the continuous search for perfection, from which always new application techniques derive that guarantee the best possible quality of the products, respecting our glorious and thriving heritage.
All collections consist of a complete range of best-selling products. Our design, manufacturing and retail teams continually increase the excellence of Balmain products. The long-term perspective, based on heritage, creativity and innovation, drives the success of Balmain Hair and guarantees it a promising future.
Excellence in Products and Services
Balmain Paris Hair Couture selects and transforms the best hair in the world. This continuous pursuit of excellence allows the company to offer a 6-month guarantee on all real hair products and only with the use of Balmain maintenance products. Excellence does not only concern the quality of the products, but also refers to the selection and placement of our "Partners", who must be able to present Balmain products in the best possible way, making their customers experience the world of Hair Couture.
The greatest session stylists and influencers from around the world have embraced the Balmain Paris Hair Couture style, now present internationally in both the press and online media. No other brand has such a high connection with the fashion world. The arrival of Olivier Rousteing really pushed Balmain into the spotlight: since his appointment as Creative Director, Balmain has gained worldwide visibility and a large number of heterogeneous followers. Balmain Paris Hair Couture is developing its success, respecting the historical heritage that has lasted for over 45 years.
Balmain Black Double-Breasted Wool Blazer. Black wool blazer with logo embossed silver buttons, double-breasted button fastening, two patch pockets on front, one reglan breast pocket.
Balmain Black Double Breasted Blazer. Black corduroy blazer, tailored design, shoulder pads, wide peak lapels. Double breasted button fastening, long sleeves, buttoned cuffs, chest welt pocket, two side flap pockets, fully lined.
Balmain Navy Blue Puffer Jacket. Navy blue padded design jacket, signature PB monogram print, detachable hood, high neck. Front zip fastening, long sleeves, ribbed cuffs, two side zip fastening pockets, straight hem.
Balmain Black Tailored Blazer. Black wool blazer, peak lapels, faille. Long sleeves, buttoned cuffs, chest welt pocket, two front flap pockets, full lining. Two internal slip pockets, central rear vent, embossed silver tone buttons, decorative double button detail.
Balmain Black Embossed Buttons Blazer. Black wool blend blazer, reverse to toe, long sleeves, buttoned cuffs. Welt pocket on the chest, two front pockets with flap, full lining, internal bellows pockets. Central rear vent, silver colored embossed buttons, decorative detail with double button.
Balmain Black Wool Flared Trousers. Black wool tourers, flared design, front button and zip fastening, high waist, belt loops, pressed crease, two diagonal pockets to the sides, straight hem.
Balmain Navy Blue Ribbed Knit Mini Dress. Navy blue ribbed knit mini dress, embossed gold tone buttons, v neck, short sleeves and thigh length.
Balmain Red, White and Black Virgin Wool Chevron Knit Jumper. Red, white and black virgin wool jumper, chevron knit, embossed gold tone buttons, roll neck, long sleeves and scallop hem.
Balmain Black Belted Leather Miniskirt. Black leather miniskirt, patent finish, belted waist, embossed gold tone buttons, two front flap pockets and thigh length.
Balmain White Ribbed Knit Pencil Skirt. White ribbed knit pencil skirt, high waist, front button fastening, above knee length, straight hem.
Balmain Black and White Virgin Wool Tweed Shorts. Black and white virgin wool blend shorts, tweed, check pattern, high waist, embossed gold tone buttons, rear zip fastening, fringed edge.
Balmain White and Black Virgin Wool Tweed Belted Jacket. White and black virgin wool jacket, houndstooth pattern, embossed gold tone buttons, frayed edge, belted waist, shoulder pads, long sleeves, chest flap pockets.
Balmain White Virgin Wool Chevron Knit Jumper. White virgin wool jumper, chevron knit, embossed gold tone buttons, roll neck, long sleeves and scallop hem.
Balmain Black and Gold Tone Tweed Pleated Mini Skirt. Black and gold tone tweed mini skirt, high waist, belt loops, front button fastening, embossed gold tone buttons, two side pouch pockets, rear zip fastening, pleated skirt, thigh length.
Balmain Navy Blue Wool Pleated Miniskirt. Navy blue wool miniskirt, decorative button detailing, pleat detailing, fitted waistline, rear zip fastening, straight hem.
Balmain Black and White Cotton Monogram Pattern Reversible Bomber Jacket. Black and white cotton bomber jacket, debossed monogram pattern, front zip fastening, two side zip fastening pockets, ribbed band collar, long sleeve, ribbed cuffs and hem, reversible.
Balmain Red and Black Buttoned Knit Midi Skirt. Red and Black midi skirt, decorative button detailing, cable knit, rear zip fastening, pencil silhouette.
Balmain Black Wool Double Breasted Coat. Black wool coat, double breasted, branded silver tone buttons, high neck, two side pockets, long sleeves.
Balmain Black Star and Paisley Print Denim Jeans. Black denim jeans, low waist, slightly flared bootcut fit. Five classic pockets, Western cut out detail, fastening with metal zip and Balmain Chain button. Triple belt loops, Balmain Signature logo embroidered on the back pocket.
Balmain Black Logo Print Hoodie. Black cotton hoodie, contrasting flocked Balmain Paris logo on the front, round neck, long sleeves, drawstring adjustable hood. Golden metal ends, stoppers and eyelets, ribbed trim.
Balmain Blue Gingham Tweed Jacket. Blue tweed jacket, straight short cut, round neck, structured shoulders. Long sleeves, tailored cuffs, five golden metal buttons. Button fastening at the front. Four Signature Lion golden metal buttons, four flap pockets, frayed hem.