Balmain: French Haute Couture & Prêt-à-Porter

Balmain or Pierre Balmain S.A. is a fashion company founded in 1945 by the French fashion designer Pierre Balmain and based in Paris. Particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, the Balmain company, which has also been offering perfume since 1947, was one of the leading international fashion companies in the upmarket Parisian fashion scene with elegant haute couture for women alongside Dior and Jacques Fath. After the sale of the company by Pierre Balmain in 1977 and less successful times from the 1980s onwards, Balmain was owned by a French investor group since 1995 and was on the verge of insolvency in 2004. It was only in 2006 that Balmain, which has been producing high-priced prêt-à-porter fashion for women since 1982 and, with interruptions, for men since 1986, regained its reputation worldwide as a trendsetting and sought-after fashion brand in the upper price segment. Balmain’s haute couture fashion was presented for the last time in 2003 and was discontinued in 2004 as part of the restructuring. Since June 2016 the company has been owned by the investment fund Mayhoola for Investments from Qatar.

Women’s collections that redefine femininity

Balmain’s rich couture history is celebrated in every women’s collection under the direction of Olivier Rousteing. The archive, filled with unique designs, inspires, while the studio continues to inspire awe with its mastery of intricate couture techniques. Rousteing fuses these traditions with his own modern sensibility.

Fashion for the emancipated woman of modernity

For this women’s collection BALMAINFW20, creative director Olivier Rousteing rethinks and modernises the traditional symbols of the old French upper class to adapt them to today’s modernity – a range of designs now open to all, reflecting the inclusive values of Balmain today. Watch the video here.

Innovative cuts and artistic colour combinations

“Own who you are” is the motto of the women’s collection 2020, inspired by Rousteing’s own past. As the documentary film about the collection shows, he only recently found out that his biological parents are Somali and Ethiopian. His handling of this existential insight and his experience with adoption and rejection can also be artistically reflected in this collection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQLs4viUyIY

Rebellious collection full of studs, glitter and leather

The outfits focus on sculptural shapes, skilful leatherwork and extreme ornamentation. Rousteing is proud of the efforts of his entire team as they have ensured that this year’s Balmain creations are in keeping with the daring of today’s troublemakers. Check out Balmain’s breathtaking fashion show here.

Futuristic dresses and statement accessories for the summer

It’s not the catwalk styling, music and celebrities that make Parisian fashion so incredibly inspiring – they believe it’s their unparalleled heritage of couture and high standards of tailoring that make them stand out. Of course, these unique ingredients are key elements of Balmains’ DNA, and today’s collection makes it clear what the combination of savoir-faire and the Parisian studio can achieve.

Cultured & sophisticated fashion for the Balmain man

Olivier Rousteing was just 25 years old when he was appointed creative director in 2011. In just a few years, he has rejuvenated the historic house of Balmain and given it an immediately recognisable style. Many of his designs for designer men’s clothing are based on what he wears every day, with the certainty that he pays great attention to detail.

Tropical desert feeling on the runway in Paris

See here the Balmains fashion show, which took place on 17 January 2020 in the Grande Halle de la Vilette in Paris. The show marks the debut of Balmain Eye Wear by Akoni. The unisex collection is based on the savoir-faire of the world’s best Japanese artisans and is available since April 2020.

Insurgent clothing with lots of black

These thousands of studs on the eye-catching oversized black bouclé blazer or on the pagoda skirts with origami texture are meant to make a statement for Balmain. Biker vests with open shoulders, paperboy caps, bags and pointed boots are also often seen on the catwalk. Check out the entire fashion show here.

Progressive fashion with avant-garde flair

The entire event, which took place in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, was dedicated to support for aid organisations against AIDS. The fashion was typically Balmain: Loud, sparkly, confident. Cool colours were often to be found on the catwalk. What made this fashion show special: an extra laser show.

A fashion show inspired by the military

Many of the men and women who march across the runway today are dressed in designs based on protective armour from every age – from the medieval chain mail shirt and today’s military khaki to futuristic leather and nylon stockings. “Fashion is a revolution, not an evolution,” is the appropriate statement.

Famous advertising faces & Exquisite accessories

Balmain outshines the other luxury brands with its numerous, individual and always amazing modern and unique commercials. Using advanced techniques and numerous experiments, Balmain creates incredible videos. Even though it is difficult to shoot an unplanned commercial, the Balmain team always manages to fascinate its Balmain Army.

Cara Delevingne as advertising face in London

Balmain’s Spring/Summer 2019 campaign with Cara Delevingne takes to the streets during London Fashion Week, delighting thousands.

The perfect accessory: the Balmain bag

This new collection is inspired by what is on offer on the catwalks, picking up on some of Olivier Rousteing’s most famous signatures. Thick fringes, quilted leather and impressive embellishments are also typical of the new collection. To ensure that the models also look good on the catwalk, Creative Director Rousteing has teamed up with some of Italy’s most famous leather masters to match the bags’ colour palette to the latest outfits in the current collection.

Luxury brand that redefines ‘Street Chic

In 2013 the brand was originally founded under the name PYREX VISION. Later, CEO and designer Virgil Abohl changed the name to Off-White and launched his first own collection. His innovative and cool designs were quickly carried in the hottest music videos of the hip hop industry and the brand quickly established itself as a luxury brand. The belt became the must-have of the year and the first store was opened in Tokyo. Later, Hong Kong, London and New York joined in.

• Learn more about the cool luxury brand Off White here

Urban clothing and playful cuts for the summer

Off-white is varied. It stands for haute couture and street style. For young and old. Masculine and feminine. This is exactly what is reflected at the brand’s international fashion shows.

Sporty fashion show with luxurious flair

For the 2019 fashion show, the luxury brand Off-White had only the hottest and most exclusive models such as Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid on the catwalk. Icons of the sports world were also represented here as models. No surprise when you remember that the theme here was “Track and Field”.

Bold and casual streetwear with a touch of grunge

Wide trousers with high waist, printed shirts and holes in the shirts. This is how designer Virgil Abloh imagined the 2017 fashion for the coming summer. At that time, the current brand was still considered a newcomer among luxury brands. Check out one of the first big fashion shows of the brand.

Minimalist Prêt-à-porter in the name of the 90s

Again the outrageously good looking Hadid sisters were to be seen on the catwalk. Georgina Grenville and Audrey Marnay, model sizes of the older generation, were also present. In 2020 Virgil Abloh and his team mainly relied on lots of sheath dresses and slanted cuts.

Feminine menage of noble tulle dresses and royal blouses

The inspiration for the 2018 summer collection was none other than Volks Liebling and fashion icon Princess Diana. For months, the creative minds of off-whites had been scrutinising their former outfits in order to do justice to their legacy with their new collection. How they succeeded, you can see here in the video.

Diverse and rebellious winter collections

The imagination and inspiration of Virgil Abohl and his team is boundless. And even though each collection always sets new trends, the brand’s designs are still typically off-white. They are confident and elegant, yet always a little rebellious and cheeky.

Glamorous chic dresses and confident accessories

Shoulder-emphasized cuts and smooth leather – this could be seen more and more at the Fashion Show 2019. But even those who are looking for rather fashionably wild outfit combinations will not be disappointed. So satin is quickly mixed with fur and small crystals are stuck on gloves as well as on handbags. Watch the complete show here in the video.

Innovative fashion show with Instagram suitable outfits

According to Virgil Abloh, the 2019 fashion show was inspired by the many advertisements and influences on television. The rhymes of rap in the background were intimidating, the chosen accessories made people think. The brand remained true to its typical cuts and outfits with its collection.

Muted colours and wide cuts for the men

“Tornado Warning” was the name of the autumn/winter collection Off-Whites. While the combination of delicate knitwear and baggy denim enjoyed great popularity, the eyes of most viewers remained mainly on the ground. The new Air Jordan 5 sneakers, the latest collaboration between Off-Whites and Nikes, were seen here more often.

Ready-to-Wear collection with heavy skirts and innovative jackets

Opposites attract. That was definitely the case here too. Sometimes Virgil Abohl let his models walk the runway in princess like dresses with lots of tull and lace, sometimes in sexy body gowns and heavy work suits. This time he did not even stop at unusual patterns and rhinestones.

Behind the scenes of the streetwear giant

Who is Virgil Abohl? How did Off-White become Off-White? And what happens behind the scenes during a fashion show? Everything you need to know about the brand, we have summarized here.

Backstage with supermodels Kendall Jenner & Bella Hadid

Virgil Abohl loves his mannequins and so it often happens that you see one or the other famous supermodel on the runway. Also watch the video to get an exclusive look behind the cameras.

Off-White – success story and meteoric rise

How did PYREX VISION become Off-White? What was the brand’s first collection made of? And who is Virgil Abdohl? These questions are answered here in the video.

Moncler – A fashion empire revolutionizes sport & fashion

René Ramillon was a French businessman who produced mountain sports equipment. In 1952 he finally founded the Italian fashion brand Moncler. He derived “Moncler” from the name of his home village Monestier de Clermont, which is located in the French winter sports area Val d’Isére. The brand became famous for its unusual articles, collaborations and extraordinary and magnificent stores all over the world. Already in 1968, Moncler was the official supplier at the Winter Olympics in Grenoble. In the 1980s Moncler changed into a lifestyle brand.

• Here you can read more about the luxury brand Moncler

Varied ready-to-wear collections for the summer

Moncler is not only popular in winter, but also during the warm seasons. From sporty to youthful playful – there is something for everyone. The brand also presents the most important must haves and accessories of the summer every year. Take a look at the favourites of our editorial team here.

Original sports fashion with a touch of nostalgic disco

Experimental. Intriguing. Almost revolutionary. This or something similar could be the description of the Moncler 2018 Summer Collection. This time the brand’s sporty vibe was joined by DiscoFever, with sparkling disco balls on the catwalk and professional dancers during the opening.

Sustainable summer collection with well-behaved cuts and prints

Feminine and playful was the motto of Moncler’s Fashion Show 2016. Here you could find baroque dresses, rich ornaments and lots of white lace. For the summer, the designers Monclers also focused on trouser suits with country embroidery. Check out the whole fashion show here.

Captivating fashion show including unexpected plot twist

“It’s a great way to show Moncler’s strength in winter and spring,” said Creative Director Browne after the show. Innovative and varied. Not only the collection, but also the fashion show should be that way. Almost complete metamorphoses took place on the catwalk, taking the models and the audience on a journey full of different weather conditions and destinations.

Modern urban clothing meets French tradition

The Gamme Rouge summer collection 2017 was all about France. So it was urban clothing with a touch of French history. The main colours were red, white and blue. Random Fact: The fashion brand had over 10 tons of sand delivered especially for this spectacular setting. Watch the entire show here.

Luxurious winter collections with dramatic staging

Moncler loves theatrical productions. Of course, they should not be missing at the fashion shows. While the summer collections are always characterized by a touch of lightness, the creative heads of Monclers put a shovel on it for the winter collections. Convince yourself here.

Romantic coats and feminine cuts for autumn

The Fall-Winter Show in Paris. A very unusual catwalk with autumnal leaves and bushes on the floor and in the background a simulated forest, which fits perfectly to the Fall-Winter collection of the brand.

Exciting performance and voluminous down jackets in icy cold

The presentation of the 2016 winter collection was spectacularly frosty. Moncler had invited the Japanese dance team Shudankodo, which gave a breathtaking performance at minus temperatures on Lincoln Center Plaza. Later the models presented the latest collection. Have a look at the whole clip here.

Classic and sporty at the same time: winter collection of the extra class

Inspiration for the 2017 Winter Collection was mountaineering and hiking. This is also reflected in the garments. The fabrics, patterns and colour combinations were rather unconventional this time: carabiners, ropes, rubber and nylon were often seen. Fur and wool were also often used to protect against the icy temperatures.

Theatrical winter fairy tale full of woolly hats and extravagant capes

For the fashion show of the 2017 winter collection, the Moncler fashion empire chose a dramatic staging of the highest order. The catwalk resembled a winter palace and the live orchestra played classical arias. Enchanting and romantic at the same time – that was the best way to describe the fashion show. See for yourself here in the video.

The luxury brand Backstage – charming, open & honest

The success of Moncler does not just come from somewhere, of course. After all, there are decades of work behind it. Who is behind the success of the brand and how it happens during a typical Moncler fashion show, you can see here.

Exclusive view behind the scenes of a Moncler Show

What happens in the minutes before the fashion show? Who is involved in the production? This video takes you behind the scenes of a Moncler Fashion Show.

The likeable CEO Remo Ruffini in interview

In 2003 the Italian Remo Ruffini took over the fashion empire Moncler. He is one of the main characters who have made the label’s success to this day. What visions does he have for the future? And why does he think collaborations are so important? You can find out here in an interview with the journalist Mimma Viglezio.