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.
Vintage Balmain Large Gold Jeweled Cuff Bracelet
By Balmain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1980's large gold metal cuff bracelet by Pierre Balmain Paris. Oval shape wide cuff with insert lock closure. Adorned with large dimensional lion enhanced with faux emerald, ca...
Vintage Balmain Pearl & Crystal Swirl Brooch 1980s
By Balmain
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Balmain Swirl Brooch. A stunning lapel adornment from the great Parisian house. Featuring mixed metals for an eye catching look and finished to perfection with crystal and ...
Balmain 18k White Gold Diamond Ring – Size 9 5.7g 0.10ct
By Balmain
Located in North Miami, FL
Balmain 18k White Gold Diamond Ring – Size 9 5.7g 0.10ct Total Diamond Weight A sleek and sophisticated design from the legendary Parisian fashion house Balmain, this authentic 18k ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Balmain 18k White Gold Diamond Twist Band – Size 9 3.8g 0.02ct
By Balmain
Located in North Miami, FL
Balmain 18k White Gold Diamond Twist Band – Size 9 3.8g 0.02ct Elegant and sculptural, this refined designer ring from Balmain Paris is crafted in solid 18k white gold and features ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 7.10 mm M277 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 8 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in si...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$360 / item
H 0.12 in W 0.12 in L 6.89 in
Sterling Silver 1/4 Ct Diamond Rondelle Graduated Ball Bead Cuff Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous .925 sterling silver cuff bangle bracelet features 0.25 carat total weight of round, brilliant cut diamonds with 90 stones in all. The bangle features sterling silver r...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
$300 / item
H 0.12 in W 0.12 in L 6.89 in
.925 Sterling Silver 1/6 Carat Diamond Ball Bead Cuff Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Simple yet elegant, this bangle cuff bracelet is a great anytime look. Strands of sleek sterling silver come together to form round ball links. Loops of diamond accented bands alter...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
Antique Emerald Diamonds Rubies 14 Karat Yellow Gold Bangles Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, IT
Amazing antique 14 karat yellow gold and 800 thousandths cuff bracelet. Handmade by artisans assembled with old cut diamonds,rubies,emerald in the middle and small agate beads Brace...
Diamond, Ruby, Agate, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Diamond and 18K White Gold Band
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive contemporary 0.23 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold ring; part of our contemporary jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine contemporary diamond r...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Dubini Ancient Bronze Coin 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet
By DUBINI
Located in London, GB
This DUBINI coin bracelet from the 'Empires' collection features an authentic Roman Imperial bronze coin set in 18K yellow gold. ABOUT THE COIN Patina is that beautiful and brillia...
18k Gold, Bronze, Yellow Gold
Victorian French Jet Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Victorian French Jet rectangular brooch from the late 19th Century. Round and Pear shaped jet "stones" are mounted on fine wire work mount. 1880's France. ...
Base Metal
Vintage Chanel Brooch "Regency" designed by Coco Chanel 1955 gold plated
By Maison Gripoix for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
A very rare and never to find dismountable brooch designed by Coco Chanel in 1955. The brooch can bis dismantled into 4 different small broches, see the pictures on the backside. Bro...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Chanel 'bow' brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - Black silk bow brooch. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 49 cm - Width: 18 cm SKU:BRB87
Antique 1920s 2 Carat Russian tourmaline Gold Brooch
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique early soviet union era 1920s 14k gold brooch centered with olive green tourmaline with an estimate weight of 2 carats brooch hall marked 583 gold standard and initial maker m...
$800Sale Price|50% Off
18K White Gold 1.00ct Blue Sapphire & 0.10ct Diamond Fine Chevron Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
Chevron style band ring equipped with eye clean and good saturation bright oval blue sapphire and sparkling diamonds. Gold heavy despite its looks - Perfect for wearing every day. Fo...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Oscar Heyman Sapphire Diamond Pansy Brooch 18 Karat
By Oscar Heyman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Oscar Heyman Pansy is one of the most coveted brooches to own. It set with calibrated blue Sapphires brilliant cut, colorless Diamonds and brilliant cut treated yellow Diamonds. It measures 36mm x 32mm and weighs 20 grams. I suggest making a chain specific for this brooch so you can also wear it on a chain. Oscar Heyman was a main manufacturer for Tiffany, Cartier and Van Cleef in...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Balmain flower brooch
By Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
BALMAIN - Black flower brooch entirely embroidered with blue, purple, and golden rhinestones. Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Diameter: about 14 cm SKU:BR51
BALMAIN gold 3D checkered chain heavy metal choker plate necklace
By Balmain
Located in Hong Kong, NT
BALMAIN gold 3D checkered chain heavy metal choker plate necklace Reference: AAWC/A01258 Brand: Balmain Designer: Olivier Rousteing Material: Metal Color: Gold Pattern: Solid Lining:...
Gold
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five Conch Shell Charms Pendant Chunky Necklace
By Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five Conch Shell Charms Pendant Chunky Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100%...
Gold Plate
Balmain Gold Metal Cuff Bracelet
By Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain - Gold metal cuff, rhinestones and pearly cabochons. Additional information: Dimensions: Circumference: 15 cm Opening: 3.5 cm Condition: Very good condition Seller Ref n...
Gilt Metal
Balmain Black Leather Men's Watch
By Balmain
Located in Amman, JO
Balmain Black leather men's watch Additional information: Watch Length with crown: 30cm Material: Leather Hardware: Stainless Steel Overall condition: Good
Stainless Steel
Balmain Coin Embellished Charm Bracelet
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
Crafted in France from gold-tone metal, this pre-owned charm bracelet by Balmain showcases a statement coin embellished design, an embossed finish and a practical spring-ring fasteni...
Balmain Gold Dragonfly Brooch
By Balmain
Located in London, GB
Crafted from gold-plated metal in the shape of a dragonfly, this lovely, pre-loved brooch is that detail you're looking for to brighten your formal outfit, featuring a practical bar ...
BALMAIN Gold Tone Engraved Brass Oversized Cuff Bracelet 2012
By Balmain
Located in San Francisco, CA
BALMAIN 2012 Collection cuff by designer Stephanie Manchette comes in a yellow gold tone brass with intricate engraving throughout. Includes box, dust bag...
Brass