From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Pierre Balmain was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure Balmain learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, Balmain’s postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since Pierre Balmain’s death in 1982, the design reins have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.
Today’s Balmain has more in common with the master’s original haute couture than you might expect: sharply tailored blazers that nip in at the waist, delicate stilettos and ultra-feminine evening dresses are wardrobe basics for the 21st-century woman, too. Lovers of couture history will also prize the fluid, easy sketches from the master’s own hand they’ll find on offer here, while fashionistas clamor for the brand’s t-shirts, military-style jackets and skinny jeans.
Whether you’re a colonel in Rousteing’s “glamour army” or you fancy yourself a “Jolie Madame,” a Balmain piece — from the 1960s or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, Balmain feels right now.
Find vintage Balmain dresses, skirts, shoes and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
Balmain Velvet Set - '00s
By Balmain
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The black Balmain Velvet Set is a luxury designer ensemble, combining tailored elegance with a bold, confident attitude. Crafted from high-quality black velvet, this set consists of...
$1,221Sale Price|20% Off
Balmain Pink Viscose Blazer & Trousers Suit Sz.36
By Balmain
Located in Krakow, PL
Balmain pink viscose suit with trousers from the contemporary collection. Features a tailored blazer with button closure and straight-leg trousers with zip closure. Very good pre-own...
Balmain Haute Couture Mint Green Suit with Embroidery, 2000s
By Balmain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 2 piece ensemble by the house of Balmain. Mint green dotted pique cotton from the late 1990s. Beautifully finished couture piece with lovely crochet buttons and intricate em...
Balmain Wool Blend Houndstooth Tweed Jacket & Skirt Set
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
Balmain Wool Blend Houndstooth Tweed Jacket & Skirt Set Black and white set crafted in multicoloured tweed houndstooth pattern. Collarless jacket with hook centre closure and mini ...
Vintage 1960s Haute Couture Balmain Dress and Jacket
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning piece and so wonderfuly constructed. The fabric is a wonderful orange and ivory print, with a super silk lining and an inner lining of tuile like fabric. The dress...
Balmain Set, Top and Skirt in Yellow and Black Stripes
By Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain - (Made in France) Set composed of a top and a skirt with yellow and black stripes. Size 38FR. Summer 2015 collection. Additional information: Dimensions: Top: Chest: 36 ...
Balmain Black Sequin Double-Breasted Blazer & Matching Trousers – FR 38
By Balmain
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Balmain Black Sequin Double-Breasted Blazer & Matching Trousers – FR 38 – Olivier Rousteing Era “An iconic Balmain runway look — the perfect marriage of Parisian tailoring and show-stopping glamour, worthy of any couture collection.” Description: From the house of Balmain under Creative Director Olivier Rousteing comes this opulent black sequin pantsuit, a striking combination of Parisian tailoring and red-carpet glamour. • Blazer: Double-breasted silhouette with padded shoulders, sculpted waist, and six signature gold-tone embossed buttons. Fully embellished with glossy black paillettes for a dramatic shimmer. • Trousers: Slim-cut ankle-length pants with tuxedo-stripe effect, also covered in black sequins for a perfectly matched look. • Label Codes: Blazer Style No. 137294 278X (Made in Bulgaria); Trousers Style No. 135484 145K (Made in Italy). • Season/Year: Circa Fall/Winter 2015–2017. Materials: • Blazer body: 100% polyester with viscose/acetate contrast, viscose/cotton lining. • Pants body: 98% cotton, 2% elastane with 100% polyester sequins. Measurements (FR 38 / US 4–6): • Blazer: Bust 34″, Waist 30″, Shoulder 15″, Length 24″, Sleeve 24″. • Pants: Waist 30″, Hips 37″, Rise 9″, Inseam 31″, Hem 6.5″. Condition: Excellent pre-owned, no missing sequins, clean interior. Tags: Balmain Sequin Suit...
Pierre Balmain jumpsuit
By Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
BALMAIN - Black shorts-jumpsuit with an open-back. Size 40FR indicated. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Chest: 40 cm - Waist: 38 cm - Length: 67 cm SKU:FT205
Balmain Black & Silver Beaded Sequin Embellished Jumpsuit
By Balmain
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Balmain Black & Silver Beaded Sequin Embellished Jumpsuit is a striking statement piece that exudes luxury and sophistication. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this j...
2001 Balmain Haute Couture Runway Coat and Dress Ensemble
By Oscar De La Renta, Balmain
Located in London, GB
This beautifully crafted coat and dress suit walked the runway as part of Balmain’s Spring 2001 haute couture collection (look 10). Designed by the creative director at the time, Osc...
Balmain Green Twill Suit - EU 36 (S)
By Balmain
Located in Krakow, PL
Balmain Green Twill Suit – Size 36 (EU/S) Double-breasted blazer with gold-tone buttons & matching high-waist trousers with side ties. Luxurious twill fabric, slightly structured fit...
$1,409
Balmain Green Woolen Set
By Balmain, Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain - (Made in France) Green woolen set composed of a jacket and a dress, and with navy-blue and white large grain trimmings with braids. Missing size and composition labels, it ...
1960s Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Numbered Orange Dress and Jacket
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning piece and so wonderfuly constructed. The fabric is a wonderful orange and ivory print, with a super silk lining and an inner lining of tuile like fabric. The dress...
Balmain Wool Two-Piece Suit
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
Balmain Wool Two-Piece Suit Black, tailored suit crafted from wool blend. Double-breasted jacket designed with flap pockets to the front and notched lapels. Regular fit, detailed ...
Balmain Iridescent Vinyl Two-Piece Set
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
Brand New - Balmain Iridescent Vinyl Two-Piece Set Black iridescent bodysuit and trousers crafted from stretchy vinyl. The top features a turtleneck collar, long sleeves and zip cl...
Orange and red abstract printed skirt-suit Gianfranco Ferré
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Orange and red abstract printed skirt-suit.Shoulder pads. Pockets . Fabric composition: 53% nylon, 33% rayon, 14% cotton. Lining: Rayon & Bemberg S...
1960s Bill Blass Yellow Three-Piece Suit with Paisley Shell
By Bill Blass, Maurice Rentner
Located in Alford, MA
Early Bill Blass spring suit in yellow windowpane plaid worsted wool, the jacket lining and sleeveless shell in complementary silk paisley. The short-sleev...
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Silk Pants Suit
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Sharon, CT
White silk 'summer' floral ensemble. Blouse with padded shoulders, no buttons and slits on the sides, ties with a 92x4"matching belt. Length of blouse is 29". Matching paints waist 2...
Valentino Boutique Jacket and Dress 80s
By Valentino
Located in Rubiera, RE
Valentino Boutique vintage 80s Damask red silk with black polka dots dress suit 100% silk Size 12US Made in Italy The dress has a bodice with splints inside The jacket has padded sho...
Bergdorf Goodman Mohair Classic 2 Piece Suit, USA Size 10
By Bergdorf Goodman
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This suit was made in America for Bergdorf Goodman when quality was high and rivaled European couture workmanship. Obviously inspired by a Chanel suit, this mohair brown and black pattern suit. Jacket has beautiful matching yarn fringe trim all around the jacket. The jacket has unique jewelry like buttons with a gold medallion accent. Even 3 per sleeve! Beautifully shaped in at waist for flattering silhouette. Fabric not listed, but is definitely a Imported mohair blend. Luxe, soft and warm feeling. Size 10. Skirt measurements: waist 28". Length: 24". Black wool hat...
F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Museum Red 'Les Infernales' Fiery Red Skirt Suit 38FR
By Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Thierry Mugler "Tailleur Vampire" skirt suit from the Fall/Winter 1988 "Les Infernales" collection is constructed in red with a deeply cinched-waist jacket and matching fitted p...
$350
Size: none; comparable to size XS
Sheer Yellow Jeweled Plissé Tunic and Cigarette Pant Ensemble – XS, 1960s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Before you and the other Warhol Superstars get together for your next evening at The Factory, you’ll want to get your hands on this bit of catnip. In a blinding yellow (that, coinci...
2002 Tom Ford For Yves Saint Laurent Ruched Blouse and Skirt
By Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Very rare ruffled red silk net blouse and skirt designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, fall 2002. Ensemble fits a size 2-4. Blouse measures: 32-34" at bust, 17" in length, Slee...
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2002 Lace Blouse + Skirt
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Skirt Set F/W 2002 Collection Color - Black. Lace Puff-Sleeve Blouse with Silk Ribbons. Fabric is stretch. Skirt - Silk and Wool (90% wool, 10% Cashme...
Rare Kreinick 1960s Vintage Red + Yellow Polka Dot Mod Dress + Jacket Ensemble
Located in Sparks, NV
Very rare Kreinick label! American couture at its finest. Heavy weight jacquard fabric appears to be made of silk and wool. This listing is for a two ...
$1,465
Size: IT 42 / D 38 / GB 10 / USA 8
A/W 1990-91 MOSCHINO COUTURE Red Needle Motif Huge Buttons Jacket & Skirt Suit
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Munich, DE
Early Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino ...
Yves Saint Laurent Tom Ford F/W 2004 Red Maroon Silk Evening Jacket & Skirt Suit
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Tom Ford for the Yves Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2004 collection; Look #1. This was Tom Ford's last collection with YSL. Both items comprised of 100% silk. Vibrant red hig...
Balmain Wool Blend Button Embellished Jumpsuit
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
We Adore - Balmain Wool Blend Button Embellished Jumpsuit Black jumpsuit crafted from wool blend and adorned with the brand's signature decorative gold buttons. Featuring collared ...
Balmain Short Sleeveless Dress Fully Sewn with Multicolored Beads
By Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain -Short sleeveless dress fully sewn with multicolored beads. No size label, it fits a 38FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Chest: 40 cm, Waist: 36 cm, Length: 86 cm Cond...
Ensemble top and skirt in grey charcoal viscose knit Balmain
By Balmain
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Ensemble top and skirt in grey charcoal viscose knit
Balmain Pre Fall 2018 Glitter Cropped Top Maxi Skirt
By Balmain
Located in Krakow, PL
Balmain Pre-Fall 2018. Balmain star speckled crop top, silver-tone button detailing at shoulder, padded shoulders, fully lined exposed zipper at back ( zipper opens completely ). Bal...
Sold
Size: 12, may run small
Pierre Balmain 1980s Cranberry Red Beaded Embroidered Sleeve Jacket Skirt Suit
By Balmain
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pierre Balmain vintage 1980s cranberry red wool skirt suit featuring beading at skirt at embroidery and rhinestone embellishment at diagonally hemmed sleeves. Skirt has back zip, jac...
BALMAIN Satin-jersey jumpsuit New
By Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Cut from lustrous satin-jersey, Balmain's black jumpsuit radiates after-dark glamour. One-piece, with clever gathering and relaxed fit. Wear it with a structured blazer and towerin...