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.
Chanel Cruise 2012 Runway Look 1 Yellow Bouclé Tweed Jacket
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Featured as Look 1 during the Chanel Cruise 2012 runway presentation designed by Karl Lagerfeld, this exceptional citron-yellow bouclé tweed jacket exemplifies the refined femininity...
Saint Laurent Paris 2021 Green Tweed Jacket with Cabochon Buttons, Size FR38
By Saint Laurent
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
A refined Saint Laurent Paris tweed jacket from the 2021 Anthony Vaccarello era, crafted in France in vibrant green textured wool blend. Featuring couture black fringe trim and strik...
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...
Gucci Emerald Green Silk Satin Wrap Blazer — Alessandro Michele Era, IT 36
By Gucci
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
A refined and collectible Gucci wrap blazer from the Alessandro Michele era, crafted in luminous emerald green silk satin and tailored in Italy. This sculptural piece features sharp ...
Chanel Resort 2016 Multicolor Fantasy Tweed Jacket Inspired by Runway Look 18
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel’s celebrated Paris–Seoul Resort 2016 collection, this exceptional fantasy tweed jacket reflects the bold energy and color-rich craftsmanship of ...
Dolce & Gabbana FW2020 Black Double-Breasted Blazer Dress IT 40
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Dolce & Gabbana FW2020 Black Double-Breasted Blazer Dress IT 40 A timeless piece from Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall/Winter 2020 Collection, this double-breasted black blazer dress embodies...
Alexander Mcqueen Yellow Double Breasted Jacket
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Alexander McQueen double-breasted tailored jacket, a striking archive piece that showcases the house's mastery of precision tailoring and s...
Bright yellow single breasted crêpe jacket Thierry Mugler
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Bright yellow single breasted crêpe jacket with one snap in the middle front on the waist. Decorative pocket on the left above the left breast.
Byblos lemon yellow silk short-sleeved jacket, 1990s vintage
By Byblos
Located in Genova, IT
Byblos jacket in lemon yellow silk ABOUT A jacket that will brighten your days thanks to its yellow color, it is a fitted model with short sleeves and is a vintage piece from the 1...
MARC by MARC JACOBS Size XS Yellow Cotton Single Breasted Sport Coat
By Marc by Marc Jacobs
Located in San Francisco, CA
MARC by MARC JACOBS sport coat in a yellow cotton woven fabric featuring a notch lapel, single vented back, and double button closure.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: XS ...
Yellow double-breasted blazer with black details Escada by Margaretha LEY
By Escada Margaretha Ley
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Yellow double-breasted blazer with black details. Shoulder-pad. Impossible to read the fabric tag composition but main fabric is probably wool. And branded acetate lining. SIZE 38 ...
1980s THIERRY MUGLER Wasp Waist Neon Green Corduroy fitted Blazer Biker Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Superb 1980’s Thierry Mugler ‘Active’ Blazer featuring the instantly recognisable signature wasp waist, accentuated lapels and flared out hips. The Garment is crafted from a thick ...
