Who is Balmain?

Balmain is an iconic French couture house founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945. The brand became known for its luxurious bell-shaped skirts and sophisticated cocktail dresses that drew on elegant ballet dancer costumes. It was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. 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. Shop a collection of vintage Balmain from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.