Is Balmain haute couture?

Yes, Balmain is haute couture. The term haute couture refers to high-end luxury wear that has been custom-fitted and constructed by hand from start to finish. The world of haute couture is governed by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in France.

Fashion designer Pierre Balmain established his now-iconic label in 1945. 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.

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.