Balmain for Women
Sophistication and Poise from Balmain
Renowned French fashion houses like CHANEL and CHRISTIAN DIOR have gained global recognition. Their founders are iconic figures who have made a lasting impact through their creations. However, there is another French designer who holds equal prominence in the world of fashion.
As a young boy, Pierre Balmain witnessed the process of garment making in a workshop, destined to become a celebrated couturier. Today, Balmain clothing is available in stores across more than seventy countries worldwide.
Pierre Balmain's Lifelong Endeavor
During his childhood, Pierre eagerly absorbed the secrets of tailoring and the textile shop managed by his father in the town of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. He developed a deep admiration for various fabrics, finding joy in transforming a small piece of material, be it taffeta or guipure lace, into a magnificent women's garment. The addition of a few artificial gemstones bestowed a special allure upon the ensemble. Pierre's passion grew for creating fashion sketches.
While attending architecture school, Pierre diligently honed the fundamentals of his future profession. However, it was not until esteemed fashion designer Robert Piguet recognized Pierre's talent through three sketches and offered to purchase them that Balmain began to question his chosen career path. The untimely passing of his father forced Pierre to make a swift decision, and he carried on with his father's business.
Edward Molyneux and Lucien Lelong played pivotal roles in Balmain's evolution as a professional fashion designer.
- Edward Molyneux, a gifted fashion designer of Irish descent, imparted exceptional fabric cutting skills to Balmain. Molyneux's designs exuded elegance and romance, greatly influencing the style of the future couturier. Balmain adopted two significant elements from Molyneux:
- romanticism in evening dresses (elegance);
- the practicality of English suits in business attire.
- Lucien Lelong, a renowned master of the time in Paris, taught Pierre the art of embroidery and working with beads, rhinestones, and crystals. Balmain achieved mastery in this form of artistry and inevitably incorporated embroidery into his future masterpieces. In 1945, Balmain's fashion studio was established.
Luxurious ensembles featuring a silhouette of a narrow waist and voluminous bell-shaped skirt became highly sought-after among women in the post-war era. Women with discerning taste aspired to own Balmain creations, particularly dresses adorned with artificial gemstones, freshwater pearls, and silk tulle.
1950 marked a significant year for Pierre Balmain as he hosted a fashion show for his models and opened a boutique in the United States. The 1950s and 1960s witnessed the ascent of the Balmain brand. Pierre crafted unforgettable masterpieces for internationally renowned actresses such as Vivien Leigh and Marlene Dietrich. Balmain dresses from that era still make appearances in films. Key elements of Balmain dresses included:
- the use of exquisite embroidery;
- delicate lace;
- a soft pastel color palette.
While Balmain's suggestions to reveal the knees and collarbones did not gain traction, Laurent's strict style prevailed.
The Reinvented Balmain Brand
Despite the challenges that plagued the brand in the past century, dedicated craftsmen made significant efforts to revive the Balmain fashion house. Today, French designer Olivier Rousteing is responsible for designing the models. His innovative proposals include embellishments with studs and the incorporation of various punk-inspired decorative elements.
You can discover contemporary Balmain models at the Symbol online store. You can order Balmain from us, and the store offers discounts on selected models.
