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.
White & Black Balmain Crystal-Embellished Low-Top Sneakers Size 37
By Balmain
Located in New York, NY
White and black low-top sneakers by Balmain. Crystal embellishments at counters. Rubber soles. Lace-up tie closures at top. 1" platform height, 1.5" heel height. Designer Size: 37 U...
Balmain, Brushed suede high top sneakers
By Balmain
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Balmain, Brushed suede high top sneakers with python in khaki green. This item has been worn twice and is in very good condition.
New Gucci Runway Spring 2005 Python Snakeskin Gold Heel Mules Sz 7.5
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Horsebit Heels Brand New Spring 2005 * Stunning in Red Snakeskin * Studded Gold Heel * Size: 7.5 * Leather Insole * Open toe * 3.25" Heel * W...
$357Sale Price|20% Off
Size: IT 39 1/2
Sergio Rossi 2000s Brown Lizard Leather Pointed Toe Ankle Strap Sandals
By Sergio Rossi
Located in Milano, IT
- Sergio Rossi early 2000s - Sold by Skof.Archive - Brown lizard leather - Pointed toes - Buckled ankle straps - 8.5cm heels - Gold-tone hardware - Leather lining - Insoles an...
New With Box Gucci Tom Ford Suede Horsebit Pump Heels Sz 10
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford for Gucci Brand New * Stunning Horsebit Heels * U.S. Size: 10 * Brown Suede Heels * Gold Horsebit Hardware * Suede Ankle Ties * Leather Footbed * 4" Heel * With Box and Dus...
S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Light Green Alligator Kitten Heels Crystal G
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Iconic, these heels were designed by Tom Ford, the creative director of Gucci, for the S/S 1998 collection. The small/kitten heels feature a pointed toe made of green crocodile/allig...
Leather Mughal Moorish Shoes with Gold Embroidered
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Exquisite Pair of Hand-Embroidered Late 20th Century Indian Leather Slippers in the Mughal Style A magnificent pair of hand-stitched and hand-tooled leather slippers, lavishly adorne...
New Tom Ford for Gucci Python Snake Head Ad Runway Heels Sz 7
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford For Gucci Heels Brand New & Very Rare * Stunning in Gold Python * Tom Ford's "Farewell Collection" w/ Gucci * Size: 7 * Gold Bamboo Heel * Famous Purple Snake...
Evening pump in rhinestone, gold leather on tulle base Valentino Garavani
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Evening pump in rhinestone, gold leather on tulle base. Height heels =9cm Shoes size 38
$1,271
Size: Equivalent French Size 35/36
A Rare François Pinet Pair of Shoes in Leather French Circa 1935
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1935 England Rare pair of shoes in leather for collection signed François Pinet, famous luxury bootmaker in Paris and London and dating from the 1930s. These shoes were accompanied by a Bordeaux Haute Couture Dress by Nicole Groult who worked with Paul Poiret. Superb lustrous leather, wine or burgundy, in imitation of snakeskin and Pinet heel which was patented in 1854. Sole in cream calfskin with woven silk medallion "Made by turner" and gold engraving mentioning F. Pinet 47 New Bond street London Model. Handwritten serial number indicating B.122.6133.15. Clean shoes without scratching of the leather or heels, probably very little used. Very good condition of color and conservation. Dimensions: Equivalent French Size 35/36 Length 24 cm Vamp 7.5 cm Heel height 8 cm François Pinet (1817-1897) is hardly known today when he acquired a deserved celebrity during the second half of the 19th century. He was a fashion designer, the celebrity shoe maker of his time and a great shoe manufacturer. The brand still exists in Paris, 1 boulevard de la Madeleine and in London, 47 New Bond Street. François PINET is the first bootmaker that produce made-to-measure shoes, son of a shoemaker in the provinces, he founded his shoe factory for women in 1855, then in 1863 his workshop-boutique at 44 rue Paradis-Poissonnière in Paris. He established his reputation among Haute Couture clients with the patented invention in 1854 of the PINET heel, stronger, lighter and thinner and straighter than the popular Louis XV heel and with the invention in 1867 of new machines for the Louis XV heel formation in one piece. Through their originality and innovation, PINET shoes...
Chanel Espadrilles Cuir 2 tons EU37 CC Baby Blue Leather Flat Shoes UK4 US6.5
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Flat Chanel espadrilles in two-tone sky blue leather, embroidered with a large CC logo across the instep, black leather almond toe, rope outsole lined with rubber, leather lining and...
Louis Vuitton US5.5 Camel Suede Fur Boots FR37
By Louis Vuitton
Located in PARIS, FR
Louis Vuitton mid-high boots in camel suede and fur (sheepskin), round toe, matching rubber sole, brown Vuitton monogram canvas upper. Size 37FR, insole 23.5 cm, upper 25 cm (total r...
New Gucci Runway Spring 2005Python Snakeskin Gold Heel Mules Sz 6.5
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Horsebit Heels Brand New Spring 2005 * Stunning in Red Snakeskin * Studded Gold Heel * Size: 6.5 * Leather Insole * Open toe * 3.25" Heel * With Box, Dust Cover and Extra Heel ...
Chanel Bottines Coco Neige EU39 Lined Suede Classique Chain Boots UK6 US8.5
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel mid-calf ankle boots in camel suede lined with shearling, round toe, matching rubber sole, cushioned heel, front adorned with gold-tone metal chains interwoven with matching l...
BALMAIN Size 6, B-Troop Black Leather High Top Webbing Sneakers
By Balmain
Located in San Francisco, CA
BALMAIN "B-Troop" sneakers in a black leather featuring a high top style, branded webbing straps with magnetic Fidlock buckles, and lace-up closure. Comes with dust bag.Excellent Pre...
NEW Balmain Limited Edition Black & Blue High Top Leather Combat Boots 37
By Balmain
Located in Switzerland, CH
Limited Edition Balmain Cell Stellar high-top leather combat boots Sold out immediately Details: Black leather Balmain Cell Stellar high-top combat leather boots Round to Lace-up f...
NEW Balmain Limited Edition Black & Blue High Top Leather Combat Boots 36
By Balmain
Located in Switzerland, CH
Limited Edition Balmain Cell Stellar high-top leather combat boots Sold out immediately Details: Black leather Balmain Cell Stellar high-top combat leather boots Round to Lace-up f...