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Pierre Balmain Clothing

French, 1914-1982

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.

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Period: Mid-20th Century
Designer: Pierre Balmain
1960s Pierre Balmain Silk Black Dress with Latticework Waistband
By Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
This elegant shift dress was created by Pierre Balmain in his 1960s heyday. Extolled for the sculptural quality that characterises his work, Balmain lovingly described dressmaking as...
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1960s Pierre Balmain Clothing

Balmain Ivory Blended Silk Dress Coat
By Balmain, Pierre Balmain
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Balmain - (Made in France) Blended silk dress coat. 40FR size indicated. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Shoulder width: 38 cm - Chest: 46 cm - Wa...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1949 Documented Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Grey Bar Jacket Suit
By Pierre Balmain, Pierre Balmain Haute Couture
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare Pierre Balmain haute couture grey bar jacket and skirt suit attributed to the autumn / winter 1949 collection. The jacket is tailored in a beautiful pinstripe wool wit...
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1940s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

White guipure bustier wedding dress Pierre Balmain Haute-Couture Circa 1950's
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
White guipure bustier wedding dress. Underdress with boned bustier and zip closure on the back and hook&eye closure on the tulle petticoat. Second zip on the top of the 1st one in th...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Sleeveless cocktail dress in silver lurex knit Pierre Balmain Les Tricots
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Sleeveless cocktail dress in silver lurex knit . No fabric composition tag but lining probably acetate or rayon. SIZE L
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1960's PIERRE BALMAIN black velvet HAUTE COUTURE dress with rhinestones
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, haute couture, silk velvet dress with rhinestones from Pierre Balmain dating to the 1960's. Fabric is a cut silk velvet with an interesting diamond shaped pattern througho...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Silver lurex jersey dress with lozenges pattern Pierre Balmain "Les tricots"
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Silver lurex jersey sleeveless dress with lozenges pattern. Polyester lining. SIZE L
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

A Pierre Balmain Ottoman Silk Faille Couture Ball-Gown N° 83213 Paris Circa 1958
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1958 France A yellow banana ottoman silk faille ball-gown or ceremonial long dress. Boned bodice with large plunge neckline and cream oblique pleated shape faille on the chest adorned with a side knot. High waist effect obtained by a high bust from the waist widening in the bottom of the skirt. Skillful bodice work with included bra, grosgrain waistband and sheath on the hips with garters. Skirt highly structured by a white cotton lining, two petticoats of rigid tulle and a cream silk under-skirt lined with tarlatane. Cream woven satin label, black graphics Pierre Balmain Paris. Numbered 83213 under the label. Very clean and undamaged dress, little or not worn. Very good condition of colour and conservation. Collector's dress exhibited and catalogued at Villa Rosemaine...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1950S PIERRE BALMAIN Black & White Haute Couture Silk Lace Cocktail Dress Jacke
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
1950S PIERRE BALMAIN Black & White Haute Couture Silk Lace Cocktail Dress Jacket With Mink Collar
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Pierre Balmain silk faille ivory cocktail dess, c. 1960s
By Pierre Balmain Boutique Paris, Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
Balmain began his post-war career at the atelier of Lucien Lelong, where he worked alongside both Dior and Hubert de Givenchy. He is nown for his classic and elegant designs. His mastery of tailoring skills helped him to created with simplicity and fluid elegance. This Demi-couture Balmain cocktail dress incorporates the house’s well known mastery of tailoring and traditional techniques of classic couture. This beautiful cocktail dress is constructed from a luxurious silk faille material from the Lyon silk...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

A Pierre Balmain Couture Turquoise Silk Chiffon Cocktail Gown Circa 1958
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1958 France Sumptuous cocktail or ball gown with Princess line by Pierre Balmain Haute Couture numbered 83214. Sleeveless dress with a cowl neckline draped with polka-dot mus...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

A Pierre Balmain Ceremonial Satin Evening Dress Bolero and Purse Circa 1950
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1950 France Pierre Balmain Paris evening or ceremony dress with matching bolero and purse from the 1950s. Ivory Duchess satin embroidered with wh...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1960's PIERRE BALMAIN haute COUTURE velvet dress with sheer lace detail
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare jet black silk velvet haute couture dress with unique sheer floral lace sleeves and underlay designed by Pierre Balmain dating to the 1960's. Dress has a red bow at necklin...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1960's PIERRE BALMAIN elaborately beaded silk and satin HAUTE COUTURE dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare jet black silk satin and velvet haute couture dress with unique spiral design and elaborate beading designed by Pierre Balmain dating to the 1960's. Dress has a red bow at ...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1960's PIERRE BALMAIN haute couture black dress with flounced trim
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Jet black haute couture wool dress with beautiful flounce trimmed in satin from Pierre Balmain dating to the late 1960's. All of the details you would expect with a haute couture gar...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

A Pierre Balmain woollen Couture Dress Numbered 182888 - Spring Summer 1963
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Spring Summer 1963 France A Pierre Balmain dress in cream wool jersey from the 1960s. Sleeveless dress with straight cut tightened at the waist with loose effect. At the front, ther...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Pierre Balmain 1950s Haute Couture Cream Jacquard Two Piece Bridal Set
By Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
This timeless 1950s New Look style Haute Couture two piece by Pierre Balmain is in impeccable condition with exceptional line and form. The soft cream jacquard fabric is embossed wit...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1950S Pierre Balmain Ivory Silk Chiffon Ruched Strapless Cocktail Dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
1950S Pierre Balmain Ivory Silk Chiffon Ruched Strapless Cocktail Dress
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1950s Pierre Balmain Clothing

Vintage 1951 Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Black Velvet Wide-Cuff Swing Coat
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Breathtaking Pierre Balmain Paris black velvet swing coat dating back to his documented 1951 Fall/Winter collection. Pierre Balmain worked under Robe...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Vintage 1950s Pierre Balmain Couture Navy Lace Illusion Strapless Dress & Jacket
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Breathtaking Pierre Balmain Paris cocktail dress set dating back to his 1959 Spring/Summer collection. Pierre Balmain worked under Robert Pigiuet, Molyneux, and Lucian Lelong, where ...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

60's PIERRE BALMAIN couture black wool dress with beaded collar
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Jet black wool couture dress with beaded collar from Balmain dating to the 1960's. Fits a size 6-10. Dress measures approximately 37" at bust, 33" at waist, 40" at hips and 41" in le...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

A Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Cocktail Dress Numbered 112776 Circa 1965
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1965/1970 France Elegant Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Cocktail Dress numbered 112776 Circa 1965/1970. Dress in printed silk, sleeveless, skin-tight and hugging the hips, waist...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Pierre Balmain red Silk jacket and pleated skirt suit Ensemble, Circa 1950
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1950 France Ensemble jacket and pleated skirt suit in red. Silk blouse with checkered pattern in red and green with white background, sleeveless. Two level of ruffle scarf c...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Haute Couture Gown with Beaded Bodice
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gown by Pierre Balmain Empire waist Striped beaded bodice Pink satin waistband Purple silk linen skirt Condition: Good vintage condition. Beading is de...
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Mid-20th Century Pierre Balmain Clothing

Balmain silk cocktail dress covered with embroidered pineapple motif, circa 1950
By Pierre Balmain Boutique Paris, Pierre Balmain
Located in London, GB
This Balmain cocktail dress incorporates the house’s well known mastery of tailoring, embroidery and traditional techniques of classic couture. Tight bodice and full skirt. Per...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1960S PIERRE BALMAIN Off White Rayon & Silk Crepe Modernist Gown With Draped Ba
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
1960S PIERRE BALMAIN Off White Rayon & Silk Crepe Modernist Gown With Draped Back Train
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Pierre Balmain (Attributed to) Haute Couture A-Line Dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Geneva, CH
Late sixties wool and silk snake skin like dress, attributed to Pierre Balmain haute couture. Lovely A-line cut, "tie collar" and zipped back. Fully lined in black silk. Fits appr...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1950S PIERRE BALMAIN Black & Blue Haute Couture Silk Organza Beaded Trained Gow
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Gown is missing label and is priced accordingly. True Haute Couture construction fully boned and lined in silk faille in the bodice and satin back crepe in the skirt. Exceptional hand finishing throughout. The beading is done in an abstracted ombré, reflecting the hand dyed ombré in the silk. The beads are of the high quality hand faceted kind, which sparkle in the evening light, added sparkle as they all fall into a short fringe which shimmers as the wearer moves. 1950S PIERRE BALMAIN...
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1950s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

1960's PIERRE BALMAIN haute couture silk dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare silk haute couture dress with ruching from Pierre Balmain dating to the 1960's. Color is a purple-blue shade and the fabric is a delicate silk. Fits a size 4-6. Zips up ce...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

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...
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1960s French Pierre Balmain Clothing

Pierre Balmain clothing for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Pierre Balmain clothing available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of purple, red, blue and other tones. Most of the items here were designed during the 20th Century, but you can find examples that were created as recently as the 21st Century and Contemporary. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Vicky Tiel, Jeanne Lanvin, and Guy Laroche appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Pierre Balmain clothing from top boutiques around the world. Pierre Balmain clothing prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $45 and tops out at $16,120, while the average work can sell for $1,588.
Questions About Pierre Balmain Clothing
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 28, 2024
    Pierre Balmain jeans tend to run true to size. The brand provides a size chart/“fit predictor” on its official website. It is recommended that you make use of the size chart before you make your purchase on the site. Balmain was founded in 1945 by Pierre and is now known by the French designer’s surname. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Pierre Balmain clothing.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 18, 2024
    Pierre Balmain was the founder of Balmain, an iconic haute couture house based in Paris, France. In the postwar years, Balmain became known for bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim. Pierre died in 1982, and the company is now owned by Mayhoola for Investments.

    From the dresses 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. Shop a collection of vintage Balmain from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Pierre Balmain was a French fashion designer most known for founding his fashion house Balmain. Balmain’s designs are described as sophisticated and elegant, and remain one of the most sought after garments in high-fashion. Find vintage and contemporary Balmain designs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, Pierre Balmain is not considered a luxury brand. Pierre Balmain is a diffusion line for Balmain, which is a luxury brand. Pierre Balmain features more simplistic designs than the Balmain as well as offers a more approachable price point. Shop a collection of Pierre Balmain and Balmain garments on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To tell if a Pierre Balmain vintage bag is authentic, first check the hardware. Balmain often stamped the brand name onto zipper pulls and fasteners. The lettering should appear crisp and evenly spaced. Balmain's tags changed greatly over time. Compare the ones in your bag to images of authenticated pieces available online. Shop a range of expertly vetted Pierre Balmain bags on 1stDibs.
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    There are a few ways to tell if your vintage Pierre Balmain is real. Authentic Pierre Balmain bags are made with brand tags, authenticity labels and serial numbers. Always purchase Balmain jackets from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Shop a collection of authentic Pierre Balmain from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

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