Pierre Balmain Art
French, 1914-1982
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.
to
1
1
1
1
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
1
1
1
1
1
106
6,886
3,210
2,514
1,217
1
Artist: Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain Paris 346 Zig Zag
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Original Pierre Balmain (1914-1982) couture fashion hand-coloured plate with 3 fabric swatches attached designed for New York society icon Nan Kempner (1930-2005) circa 1970s
Plate ...
Category
1970s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Fabric
Related Items
Oil on Canvas “Arroyo 14”
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
" Arroyo 14" is 72” x 60”. A rich sienna and ochre figure centered on a textured field of light yellows and beige. Frank Arnold’s paintings exhibit the highest quality materials for ...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
French 19th Century Oil on Canvas Blue and White Music Allegory Cherub Painting
Located in Firenze, IT
This romantic French 19th century allegoric oil painting on square canvas has a sky blue background, a fluffy cloud fills the central part of the painting where a woman is lying down playing the lyre, while a graceful cherub seems to twirl over her.
This oil on canvas painting represents the allegory of music - with a woman dressed in classical clothes and a putto- a very popular theme during all the neoclassical age, with its lively scene inspired by the Rococo period.
The composition creates a awesome trompe-l'œil effect thanks to the color palette scheme. Well painted white and gray shadings (chiaro scuro) that stands out from the light blue background in typical grisaille style.
This painting originally was an over door frieze...
Category
19th Century Rococo Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
H 34.26 in W 34.26 in D 1.58 in
New Move
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
"New Move 8" Oil on Canvas is a mix of blues and greens with chrome yellow accents. Frank Arnold is thought by many to be one of the foremost abstract figurative painters and sculpto...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Studio 1528
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
"Studio 1528" Oil on Canvas presents a bold visage in blues and white on a mixed field dominated by blues and green tone. Frank Arnold is thought by many to be one of the foremost ab...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Oil on Canvas "OTL 8"
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
“OTL 8” is 60”x 60”. Central figure of Vibrant to deep reds on a split field of warm beige/coral and deep red/black. The foreground exhibits heavy strokes and Arnold’s “8” and “X” fi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Last Dance
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
Last Dance is an Oil on Canvas painting in soft, light aqua tones with red/brown accents. Frank Arnold is thought by many to be one of the foremost abstract...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Oil on Canvas “850” by abstract-figurative artist, Frank Arnold
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
"850" is 72” x 60”. The smokey greens, greys and blues are combined in the heavy hand, brush and knife strokes which characterize much of this artist’s work. Frank Arnold’s paintings...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Oil on Canvas “BS Trust”
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
“BS Trust” is 36” x 36”. Frank Arnold’s paintings exhibit the highest quality materials for a truly archival piece, created to last generations. Much of Frank Arnold’s work is sourc...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Mas Rojo
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
"Mas Rojo", as hte name implies, is "More Red" in an Oil on Canvas painting. Frank Arnold is thought by many to be one of the foremost abstract figurative painters and sculptors of o...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Oil on Canvas “Arroyo New”
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
" Arroyo New" is 72” x 60”. Shades of sea green with shocks of coral and orange create a solo figure on a frosty field of white and light grey. Frank Arnold’s paintings exhibit the h...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Moving 5
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
“Moving 5” is 60”x 48”. The vibrant yellow surface tones of this piece are broken in several places allowing random glimpses of Arnold’s dreamlike underpainting for a multi-dimension...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Oil on Canvas “134 Bird”
By Frank Arnold
Located in Fresno, CA
"134 Bird" is 60” x 48”. The all black field sets off the bold white strokes of man and bird images, arcs and characters. Arnold’s paintings exhibit the highest quality materials for...
Category
2010s Abstract Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Previously Available Items
"Pierre Balmain Paris 122 Chantilly"
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Chic original watercolour couture fashion sketch replete w/ lace fabric swatch & note attached (LL) from the Paris atelier of Pierre Balmain
c1960s
Plate Sz: 12"H x 8 1/4"W
Frame...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Watercolor
Vintage Balmain French Fashion Sketch - Couture Coat, c. 1960
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Original haute couture sketch of a blue and yellow coat by Parisian designer Pierre Balmain, circa 1960, featuring fascinating design details, suc...
Category
1960s Contemporary Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Paper, Ink, Gouache
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Vintage Balmain French Fashion Sketch - Couture Tennis Dress, c. 1960
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Original haute couture sketch of a tennis dress by Parisian designer Pierre Balmain, circa 1960, featuring a striking visual contrast between bold...
Category
1960s Contemporary Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Paper, Ink, Gouache
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Pierre Balmain Paris 433 Bangkok
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Chic original couture fashion plate by Pierre Balmain designed for the New York socialite, Nan Kempner (1930-2005) replete w/ two silk swatches circa 1970s
Plate Sz: 12.25"H x 8.25"...
Category
1970s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache
Pierre Balmain Paris 122 Chantilly
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Chic original watercolour couture fashion sketch replete w/ lace fabric swatch & note attached (LL) from the Paris atelier of Pierre Balmain c1960s!
Plate: 12 1/4"H x 8 1/4"W
Frame: 16 3/4"H x 13"W
Fashion Designer Bio:
Perre Alexandre Claudius Balmain (1914-1982) was a well-known designer from France and the founder of Balmain fashion house. He was and still is known for his elegance and sophistication.
Balmain studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts, but he spent most of his time designing apparel. From 1934-1939 Balmain worked with Edward Molyneux (fashion designer) who offered him a trial. Balmain then worked after the War with Lucien Lelong and established his own fashion house that displayed bell-shaped and small waist skirts. This was a look that became famous later on through the brand Christian Dior. A family friend, Gertrude Stein wrote a commemorative piece on Balmain for Vogue magazine and following this an order was placed by the Duchess of Windsor.
By 1951, Balmain opened various branches of his label across America to sell his prêt-a-porter collections. During this time, he popularized some unique trends such as stoles, evening wear and he made sheath dresses with jackets a fad in the fashion market. He was talented in creating both simple and extravagant clothes, all with the similar aesthetics of graceful and slender lines. Pierre Balmain also created fragrances.
For his astounding creations and designs, he was nominated for Best Costume Designer by the Tony Award and Balmain received the Drama Desk Award for designing outstanding costumes for Happy New Year Broadway production in 1980. He designed costumes for Sophia Loren for The Millionaires, 1960 and Josephine Baker for her eponymous revue, 1964. He designed costumes for sixteen films and designed clothes for actresses Mae West and Vivien Leigh.
His classic couture dresses are still chic and sought after among international movie stars and socialites such as Kristin Davis...
Category
Mid-20th Century Other Art Style Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Watercolor
Balmain Fashion Sketch
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
French haute couture sketch by Balmain fashion house, circa 1960.
Original artwork on paper displayed on a white mat with a gold border. Mat fits...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Vintage Balmain Fashion Sketch - Navy Dress Suit
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage gouache and pencil French fashion sketch of a elegant cress suit in navy blue by the famed Balmain Fashion House of Paris, circa 1960.
Original artwork on paper displaye...
Category
1950s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Paper, Pencil
Vintage Balmain French Fashion Sketch - Lime Green Summer Dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage gouache and pencil French fashion sketch of a casual summer dress in a bold lime green hue by the famed Balmain Fashion House of Paris, c...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Pencil
H 16 in W 0.1 in D 20 in
Vintage Balmain Mini Dresses Fashion Sketch
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Excellent one-of-a-kind gouache and ink fashion sketch of several variations of a casual mini dress by the French haute couture Balmain Fashion house of Paris, circa 1960.
Origina...
Category
1950s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Vintage Balmain Spots & Stripes Fashion Sketch
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Charming one-of-a-kind gouache and ink fashion sketch of three variations of a sleeveless navy top by the haute couture Balmain Fashion House of Paris, circa 1960. Fabric swatch atta...
Category
1950s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Ink, Paper
Vintage Balmain Fashion Sketch - Lime Green Blazer
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage one-of-a-kind French watercolor and ink fashion sketch of a sporty, short sleeve blazer in lime green by the Parisian Balmain fashion house, circa 1960.
Original artwork ...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Ink
H 16 in W 0.1 in D 20 in
Vintage Balmain Gouache Fashion Sketch - Red Dress Suit
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage one-of-a-kind haute couture gouache fashion sketch of a vivid red dress suit by the Parisian Balmain Fashion House, circa 1960.
Original artwork on paper displayed on a wh...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Paper
H 12 in W 0.1 in D 16 in
Pierre Balmain art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Pierre Balmain art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Pierre Balmain in paint, watercolor, fabric and more. Not every interior allows for large Pierre Balmain art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Pierre Ambrogiani, Paul Henry Bony, and Eliane Diverly. Pierre Balmain art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $950, while the average work can sell for $950.
Artists Similar to Pierre Balmain
Questions About Pierre Balmain Art
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 18, 2024Pierre Balmain was the founder of Balmain, an iconic haute couture house based in Paris, France. In the postwar years, Balmain became known for bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim. Pierre died in 1982, and the company is now owned by Mayhoola for Investments.
From the dresses 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. Shop a collection of vintage Balmain from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Pierre Balmain was a French fashion designer most known for founding his fashion house Balmain. Balmain’s designs are described as sophisticated and elegant, and remain one of the most sought after garments in high-fashion. Find vintage and contemporary Balmain designs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- How do Pierre Balmain jeans fit?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 28, 2024Pierre Balmain jeans tend to run true to size. The brand provides a size chart/“fit predictor” on its official website. It is recommended that you make use of the size chart before you make your purchase on the site. Balmain was founded in 1945 by Pierre and is now known by the French designer’s surname. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Pierre Balmain clothing.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Pierre Balmain is not considered a luxury brand. Pierre Balmain is a diffusion line for Balmain, which is a luxury brand. Pierre Balmain features more simplistic designs than the Balmain as well as offers a more approachable price point. Shop a collection of Pierre Balmain and Balmain garments on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a Pierre Balmain vintage bag is authentic, first check the hardware. Balmain often stamped the brand name onto zipper pulls and fasteners. The lettering should appear crisp and evenly spaced. Balmain's tags changed greatly over time. Compare the ones in your bag to images of authenticated pieces available online. Shop a range of expertly vetted Pierre Balmain bags on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a few ways to tell if your vintage Pierre Balmain is real. Authentic Pierre Balmain bags are made with brand tags, authenticity labels and serial numbers. Always purchase Balmain jackets from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Shop a collection of authentic Pierre Balmain from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.