Balmain Ready to Reintroduce Its Line of Haute Couture

Balmain is finally ready to delve into the world of haute couture after a 16-year-long hiatus. This new line is a passion project of the company’s creative director Olivier Rousteing, who’s trying to “bring back the Parisian DNA”.

Balmain’s last haute couture collection was presented all the way back in 2002, under the creative supervision of Oscar de la Renta. His latest successor is currently working on turning the company towards the highest end of the fashion spectrum – and what a better way to do it than launching an haute couture line?

Balmain’s return to couture will debut at Paris Couture Week in January 2019. Instead of delving into the usual party-inspired extravaganzas, like the rest of his peers, Rousteing intends to come up with a line of products that are reminiscent of Paris salon shows from the ’60s and ’70s.

“I want to push the limits, of myself and the house, to bring couture back to Balmain again. I’m known for having a young crowd, whether it’s doing projects like Coachella, or campaigns with Rihanna. But couture can become part of the new generation too,” explained Rousteing, who was appointed as creative director of this French luxury fashion house in 2011.