Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer'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.
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, Balmain's founder 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 that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company 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 Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
$1,459Sale Price|20% Off
Pierre Balmain Paris Dark Blue Fur Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This vintage coat from Pierre Balmain is made of very soft blue dyed fur and suede leather panels. We offer more exclusive fur items, view our frontstore Details: The color is dark...
Pierre Balmain Paris Brown Belted Wool Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This coat has 2 pockets, a matching belt and 2 Pierre Balmain logo buttons. Appears to be small, please refer to the measurements in the description. pre-owned condition. Please not...
$822Sale Price|22% Off
Pierre Balmain Soft Suede Leather Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This vintage 90's Pierre Balmain, haute cuir coat is made of soft suede leather with 2 pockets and 2 inside closing hooks. Color : brown Size is mentioned EU 38 but fits like small (...
PIERRE BALMAIN Vintage Size XL Beige Cotton Double Breasted Trench Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage PIERRE BALMAIN trenchcoat in a beige cotton woven fabric featuring a double breasted style, long sleeves, and button closure with belt. Made in France.Good Pre-Owned Conditio...
Pierre Balmain Cobalt Blue with Persian Lamb coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
This Pierre Balmain Cobalt blue wool coat has midnight black Persian lamb detailing. The coat is fully lined. The shoulders are padded.
The back length measures 33 1/2", un...
Pierre Balmain Oversized Khaki Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Pierre Balmain coat is composed of a khaki woven fabric. There are center front button closures and front pockets. Chic over-sized look. In excellent condition. Made in France. ...
Pierre Balmain Men's Signature Combination of Silk and Merino Scarf
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain wonderfully elegant men's signature combination of deep navy silk print with the other side a black wool merino fringe, measures 56 inches by 12 inches. Made in F...
2000 Pierre Balmain Haute Couture by Oscar de la Renta Navy Car Coat custom
By Oscar De La Renta, Pierre Balmain
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Pierre Balmain Haute Couture coat by Oscar de la Renta from 2000 is cut in an oversized, relaxed silhouette with an asymmetric fold-over collar and front button closure. It is c...
$995
Size: Small - Medium
Amazing Vintage Escada by Margaretha Ley Leather Suede Color Block Bomber Jacket
By Escada Margaretha Ley, Escada
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage ESCADA by MARGARETHA LEY suede and leather color block bomber jacket! Features suede patches in vibrant colors of purple and blue, intertwined with soft gold leather....
1990s Krizia Vintage Size 8 / 10 Light Blue Jean Denim Glitter Moto Biker Jacket
By Krizia, Krizia Jeans
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazingly chic vintage early 90s KRIZIA blue jean 'glitter' moto jacket! Features a light blue sandblasted denim, with an allover glitter coating (hard to see in photos, but amazing ...
1980s Koos Van Den Akker Mink Patchwork Coat
By Koos Van den Akker
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Get Ready For Winter With This Koos Van Den Akker Mink Patchwork Coat Circa 1980s! This single breasted coat features gorgeous mink fur, fire engine red...
$586
Size: 40 FR (Vintage)
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Grey Faux Astrakhan Fur and Black Velvet Jacket, c. 1992
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Munich, DE
Unusual and rare vintage Yves Saint Laurent charcoal grey faux fur Persian lamb or Astrakhan coat with black velvet collar, cuffs and edging probably from the Fall 1992 ready-to-wear...
$1,292
Size: 44 IT / 40 D / 12 GB / 10 USA
A/W 1988-89 Moschino Cheap & Chic Off-White Laurel Design Padded Jacket
By Moschino Cheap and Chic, Moschino
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 ...
Perry Ellis Detailed "Butterflies In Love" Silk Scarf
By Perry Ellis
Located in New York, NY
Perry Ellis wonderfully elegant "Butterflies In Love" silk scarf is accented with hand-rolled edges and measures 30 inches by 31 inches. Made in Italy.
Andrew GN Beige and Ivory Boucle Tweed and Pearl Coat - 2005 Collection - Size M
By Andrew Gn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Andrew GN Beige and Ivory Boucle Tweed and Pearl Coat - 2005 Collection - Size M The fabric on this coat is a Beige and Ivory cotton/linen/silk blend Boucle Tweed and is fully lined ...
1985 JEAN PAUL GAULTIER for GIBO oversized floral jacquard RUNWAY coat
By Gibo, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Oversized, blue, green and purple floral jacquard wool overcoat designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for Gibo dating to fall of 1985 as seen on the runway. No size is indicated however t...
Ralph Lauren Black Label "Anna Karenina" Black Cashmere Coat Size 8
By Ralph Lauren Black Label
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Ralph Lauren Black Label "Anna Karenia" black cashmere coat. Named for it seaming and fit and flare flattering design. AMazing droped waist in b...
Oleg Cassini Vintage Beaded Silk Jacket, Floral Design
By Oleg Cassini, Black Tie by Oleg Cassini
Located in New Hope, PA
Oleg Cassini designed this beautiful beaded jacket using gold bugle beads to edge the floral design at the center front, neckline, cuffs and hemline. The flowers on the body of the...
Vintage fur coat size 10
Located in Montreal, Quebec
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Vintage fur coat size 10 Condition: excellent Closure: Metal clasp Color: Orange brown and black Material: Fur Garment type: fur coat Sleeves: straight ...
$795
Size: Small-Medium
Late 1970s/ Early 1980s Bernard Perris Vintage Purple + Blue Mohair Trench Coat
By Bernard Perris
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous vintage Bernard Perris coat in purple and blue woven mohair with matching tie sash belt. Partially lined with front button and tie closure. Side patch pockets. The bust meas...
Balmain Ivory Blended Silk Dress Coat
By Balmain, Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain - (Made in France) Blended silk dress coat. 40FR size indicated. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Shoulder width: 38 cm - Chest: 46 cm - Wa...
PIERRE BALMAIN blue wool DOUBLE BREASTED Coat Jacket 36 XS
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Zürich, CH
Pierre Balmain double breasted military style coat in navy blue wool (100%) with silver-tone embossed buttons, flap pockets, mandarin collar and accentuated padded shoulders. Lined i...
Sold
Size: French Size 36/38
A Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Evening Jacket Numbered 122088 Collection 1963
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Spring Collection 1963 France Sumptuous kimono evening jacket by Pierre Balmain Haute Couture from the Spring collection 1963, having belonged to Madame Augier, famous owner of the...
1960s Pierre Balmain Boutique trimmed with shearling vintage wool coat
By Pierre Balmain, Pierre Balmain Boutique Paris
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Pierre Balmain boutique early 60s coat, made in wool, trimmed with shearling. Fully lined in beautiful vintage condition. Please go by the measurements are taken flat. Sh to Sh 15inc...
A Pierre Balmain Couture Chiné Knitted Coat Circa 1970
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1970 France Coat in two-tone red and white knitted wool with geometric non-repeating patterns from the famous Couture designer house Pierre Balmain. Large stitching...
Black Vintage Pierre Balmain Raincoat 1950s
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Vintage black faux ostrich raincoat by Pierre Balmain. Circa 1950s. Stand collar. Long sleeves. Self-tie belted waist. Label size FR 42. 45" bust, 46" waist,...
Pierre Balmain Numbered Haute Couture Black Wool Coat, 1950s
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New Hope, PA
Light weight weight black wool is used for this duster or swing style coat from Pierre Balmain Haute Couture. The notched collar goes all the way to the hemline on this coat which ha...
Navy Pierre Balmain Military Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Navy wool military coat by Pierre Balmain. Stand collar. Long sleeves. Four-button detail at cuffs. Double-breasted button front closure. Waist flap pockets. ...
Chic & Glam 1950's Pierre Balmain Black Mink Fur Stole Wrap
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is the ultimate in luxury and vintage glamour ... a black mink fur stole straight from 1950's Paris and the fashion house of Pierre Balmain. Just imagine the parties and beautiful shoulders that this wrap has seen! What's even better is that the 77.75" long x 14.5" wide stole is unstructured and can be worn as evening wear or as an added layer during the day. Your imagination is the limit but rest assured a Balmain fur...
Balmain Haute Couture by Oscar de la Renta
By Pierre Balmain, Oscar De La Renta
Located in New Hope, PA
This classic and chic coat from Pierre Balmain was designed by Oscar de la Renta during his tenure as head designer at the House of Balmain. It is made from a very soft grey/blue dou...