Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer'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.
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, Balmain's founder 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 that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company 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 Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
Pierre Balmain black & Purple ensemble
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain suit ensemble is fully lined with silk. The jacket is safari style with four (4) patch pockets. The full length of the jacket measures 26 1/2", underarm circumfer...
Balmain dress Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1984
By Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
BALMAIN - (Made in France) Long navy-blue silk and velvet dress. Low-rise effect and skirt with pleated flounce layering embroidered with rhinestoned strips. Composition and size lab...
Pierre Balmain dress Haute Couture Spring-Summer 1986
By Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
BALMAIN - (Made in France) Purple silk evening dress. Chest with an asymmetrical chawl effect embellished and edged with feathers. Composition and size labels missing, it fits a 38FR...
Pierre Balmain 'Couture' Black Linen Dress with Bow Accent
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a gorgeous COUTURE Pierre Balmain dress. The dress is composed of a wonderful black heavy weight linen. This three quarter dress features a front draped bow design and side b...
Pierre Balmain, asymmetric top with paisley print.
By Pierre Balmain
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Pierre Balmain, Black/white sleeveless asymmetric top with paisley print in size XS. This item is in very good condition.
Pierre Balmain Jacket Metallic Silver Leather Lightweight 42 / 8
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a Pierre Balmain brilliant silver whisper light leather jacket with deep V and no lapels. 1 Button single breast with 2 flap pockets. 4 working buttons on each cuff...
Pierre Balmain Beaded Black Silk Sleeveless Top
By Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain BALMAIN HAUTE COUTURE - Black silk sleeveless top fully embroidered with multicolored beads and sequins. No composition label or size indicated, fits a 38FR. Circa 1960s. Ad...
Pierre Balmain Silk Scarf Vineyard Print in Green and Brown
By Pierre Balmain Paris, Pierre Balmain
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite silk scarf from Pierre Balmain Paris is artistically crafted to resemble a beautiful painting. This lovely piece features a tangle of grape leaves and bunches of grape...
$93Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Pierre Balmain 100% silk tie with small yellow stripes
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage tie designed by Pierre Belmain, it is made of silk. Decorated with small yellow stripes on a black background and a large blue / gray script. With a very elegant and formal d...
$1,402
Balmain Green Woolen Set
By Balmain, Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain - (Made in France) Green woolen set composed of a jacket and a dress, and with navy-blue and white large grain trimmings with braids. Missing size and composition labels, it ...
Pierre Balmain, top with shoulder pads
By Pierre Balmain
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Pierre Balmain, black semi transparent top with shoulder pads and decoration on the shoulders. The item is in very good condition. Labels are cut out of the top. • CONDITION: very g...
Pierre Balmain Oversized Khaki Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Pierre Balmain coat is composed of a khaki woven fabric. There are center front button closures and front pockets. Chic over-sized look. In excellent condition. Made in France. ...
Pierre Balmain Printed Blouse
By Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain -(Made in France) Printed blouse, size 40FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Shoulder width: 40 cm Chest: 44 cm Sleeve length: 30 cm Leng...
Pierre Balmain New Geometric Print Lace up Dress
By Balmain, Pierre Balmain
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous geometric ikat print stretch dress from Pierre Balmain in red, blue, yellow, black and white. It has long sleeves and a V neckline with functional black lacing to...
Vintage Pierre Balmain Silk Foulard Scarf Red Blue Gold Circa 1970s
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A red, blue and gold silk square foulard by Pierre Balmain in perfect conditions
Pierre Balmain One Sleeve Dress with Side Cut outs
By Pierre Balmain, Balmain
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black bodycon bandage dress from Pierre Balmain. It has one sleeve and a series of diamond shaped cut outs from under the bust to the hips on one side. The skirt is stra...
Pierre Balmain Complete Agenda
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain complete agenda has wonderful calfskin leather edging along with the lined leather and silk combination. Body is made with thick Tapestry made to last. Original note p...
Pierre Balmain 1990's White Cotton Embroidered Jacket - Size Medium
By Pierre Balmain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This 1990's Pierre Balmain white jacket has 4 front pockets. The pockets are embroidered in either red or black with gold. This jacket is in very ...
Iconic bag by Pierre Balmain with Labyrinth monogram - Paris Circa 1971-1975
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1971-1975 France Famous shoulder bag or handbag with the Labyrinth monogram designed by Pierre Balmain in the early 1970s. The 1971 haute couture fashion show marked the debut ...
Printed silk blouse by Pierre Balmain - France Circa 1985
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1985. France Elegant blouse in printed silk twill by Pierre Balmain dating from the 1980s. Very fine quality, very supple French silk (100% silk) with large impressionist flowe...
PIERRE BALMAIN blue distressed washed B logo charm hot shorts 24"
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Hong Kong, NT
PIERRE BALMAIN blue distressed washed B logo charm hot shorts 24" Reference: YIKK/A00188 Brand: Pierre Balmain Material: Cotton, Blend Color: Blue, Silver Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip...
Pierre Balmain Signature Multicolor Silk Chiffon & Metallic Gold Scarf
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain signature multi-color silk chiffon accented with metallic gold scarf has hand-rolled edge finishing. The scarf measures 34" x 70".
Pierre Balmain Multicolor chiffon & metallic gold scarf
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain signature bold multi-color silk chiffon accented with metallic gold accents has fringe and hand-roll detailing. The scarf measures 34" x 70".
Pierre Balmain Mini Dress in Blue Denim
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
From one of the most loved brands in the fashion industry comes this Pierre Balmain dress, which is a classic piece to own. This mini dress is crafted from blue-hued denim featuring ...
Pierre Balmain Men's Signature Combination of Silk and Merino Scarf
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain wonderfully elegant men's signature combination of deep navy silk print with the other side a black wool merino fringe, measures 56 inches by 12 inches. Made in F...
Pierre Balmain Extra Large Silk Crepe Di Chine Multiple Paisley Wrap Scarf
By Pierre Balmain, Pierre Balmain Paris
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Balmain wonderfully magnificent extra-huge silk crepe di chine multi-palsey with red-on-red border measures 52 inches by 54 inches. The scarf is detailed with hand-roll...
$319Sale Price|20% Off
PIERRE BALMAIN Size M Silver Black White Stripe Studded Cotton Long Sleeve Shirt
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Francisco, CA
PIERRE BALMAIN long sleeve shirt in a black & white stripe cotton featuring studded details, spread collar, and a snap button closure. Made in Italy.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Mi...
1980s Pierre Balmain Yellow Print Blouse
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980s Pierre Balmain blouse. Yellow with the look of four different ribbon patterned silk scarves blowing in the wind. One black with white, pink, blue and green diagonal stripes. The second, blue and white. The third, pink and green paisley. And the last blue and pink tropical flowers. Vertical vent on back right side. Transparent yellow buttons. Bishop sleeves. Yellow top stitching. Excellent vintage condition. Made in France - sold by boutique to the carriage trade: Chez Catherine...
PIERRE BALMAIN Vintage Size XL Beige Cotton Double Breasted Trench Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage PIERRE BALMAIN trenchcoat in a beige cotton woven fabric featuring a double breasted style, long sleeves, and button closure with belt. Made in France.Good Pre-Owned Conditio...
Pierre Balmain Oversized Rhinestones T-shirt - '10s
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This Pierre Balmain oversized t-shirt is made with a viscose and spandex blend, and features an all over silver rhinestone design. The spread deep neckline, seamless loose shoulders,...
$472Sale Price|20% Off
Pierre Balmain Blue Denim Shirt Size 40
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Featuring light wash denim button down shirt with gold plated buttons detail, stamped with B, dual front pockets, collar and adjustable sleeves.
Pierre Balmain Couture Embellished Blouse with Exaggerated Collar Size Small
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Pierre Balmain blouse is composed of a navy, black, and white patterned silk with embellishments. The linen collar is fused for a three dimensional effect, which causes it to si...
Pierre Balmain Distressed Cotton T-Shirt
By Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
Pierre Balmain Distressed Cotton T-Shirt Black distressed style t-shirt with V-Neck and short sleeves. Detailed with 'Pierre Balmain' wording to rear. Rrp Approx. £400 Size – 46F...