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.
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
Italian 18k Gold Arabian Prince Twisting Band Ring, 4.01ct Diamonds
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
Introducing the Arabian Prince's Elegance: An Italian Masterpiece Ring Set with 4.01 Carats of White and Black Diamonds Prepare to step into a world of regal opulence and timeless s...
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Diamond 18k White Gold Band Ring Size 5.5
By Bulgari
Located in Simpsonville, SC
A hallmark of Bulgari’s iconic design language, the Parentesi collection draws inspiration from the interlocking architectural motifs of ancient Roman pavements, reinterpreted with c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$575Sale Price|50% Off
18K Gold 0.60ct Squared Muti- Stones & 0.02ct Diamond Fine Vintage Band Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
A gorgeous luxury Neo-vintage band ring that is both suitable for all sexes. This ring has beautiful highly saturated colors of 2 squared green emerald, 2 squared blue sapphires and ...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
$1,150Sale Price|50% Off
18K Gold 0.70ct Squared Emerald & 0.10ct Diamond Channel Band Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
A sleek study in symmetry and saturated color, this 18k gold channel‑set band ring features a vibrant procession of ten square‑cut emeralds (0.70 carats total) punctuated by two squa...
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
$687Sale Price|50% Off
18K Gold 0.60ct Bezel Blue Sapphire & 0.10ct Diamond Band Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
Thai blue sapphire with gorgeous fire and deep strong blue tone- for those who loves sapphires. The 6 diamonds are bright and lively and set neatly. Classic contemporary band ring ac...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
$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
$650Sale Price|50% Off
18K White Gold 0.10ct Cluster Vivid Round Tsavorite & 0.10ct Diamond Halo Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
Modern and refined, this 18k white gold Italian shank ring features a vivid 0.10ct round tsavorite cluster framed by a 0.10ct diamond halo. The sleek bezel and cone‑shaped under‑gall...
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
ICA 18K White Gold 1.24ct Oval Vivid Green Tsavorite & 0.10ct Diamond Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
This engagement ring centers a 1.24‑carat natural tsavorite garnet, ICA‑certified and displaying a lush, saturated green with exceptional brilliance. Cut in an elegant oval modified ...
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Red Vitreous Enamel Ring 18k White Gold 0, 5 ct Solitaire 10 Diamonds 0.05ct G V
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer Cocktail Collection Burgundy Red Vitreous Enamel Ring in White Gold with 0,5 ct Solitaire Diamond G/VS & 10 Diamonds 0,05 ct G VS V...
Diamond, Garnet, White Gold, 18k Gold
Modern Stackable 18k Solid White Gold Diamond Twisted Band Ring
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Twisted Band Ring Set in 18K Gold featuring natural diamonds of 0.102 carats. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every style. April birthstone diamond brings love, fame,...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
David Yurman Diamond Twisted Band Ring, 18k Yellow & White Gold, Ring Size 5.75
By David Yurman
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: diamond round brilliant cut .23ctw GH color/ VS2-SI2 clarity Ring Size: 5.75 Rise Off Of Finger: 3.8 mm Width: 11.5 mm Weight: 5.7 dwts/ 8.9 grams Metal: "750 DY" Crosso...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$750Sale Price|50% Off
18K Gold 0.52ct Vivid Blue Sapphire & 0.10ct Diamond Fine Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
Vivid almost royal blue sapphire for keepsake and 14 round brilliant diamonds surrounding the beautiful gemstone. Intricate design of shank from bygone era. PRICE NOT INCLUDING CUST...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold