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 Designed Modernist Wool Carpet
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
A Pierre Balmain designed modernist wool carpet. Composed of a black background with a decorative tan border surrounding the central composition of th...
Wool
Carpet designed by Pierre Balmain France 1970s for Van Neder
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Firenze, FI
This carpet, designed by Pierre Balmain in the 1970s in France, is a rare example of the "Kyoto" pattern and was produced in Belgium by the Van Neder company. Worked in wool, it has...
Wool
$1,887Sale Price|42% Off
Carpet by Pierre Balmain for Van Neder Carpets, 1980s
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Pierre Balmain wool rug designed for Van Neder Carpets.
Wool
Rug designed by Sofia Rostad for Louis De Poortere , 1970s.
By Zofia Butrymowicz
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Large 'art rug with colorful geometric patterns designed by Sofia Rostad for Louis De Poortere , 1970s. Composition: 100% polyamide, made in Belgium. Excellent condition, in shades ...
Nylon
Original Woolen Rug Designed by Verner Panton for Desso, Holland 1970s
By Verner Panton, Desso
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an original vintage rug design by Verner Panton for Desso in the mid 1970s. The rug is part of the Romatica collect...
Wool
$1,539Sale Price|30% Off
W 85.04 in L 114.18 in
7x9.5 Ft Decorative Hand-Knotted Area Rug. Vintage European Design Wool Carpet
Located in Spring Valley, NY
A finely hand-knotted vintage Turkish carpet from 1960s. The rug has even low wool pile on cotton foundation. It is heavy and lays flat on the floor, in very good condition with no i...
Wool, Cotton
German 1960s Designed Wool Blue and Green Pop Art Carpet by Vorwerk
Located in Antwerp, BE
Abstract City landscape Carpet in multi colors blue, grey, black, green, red and yellow.Large Impressive Vorwerk Manufacturer,Germany. In original very good condition. This is such a...
Wool
$4,470
W 66.93 in L 94.49 in
Rug Angry - Geometric Off-White Cream Red Green Dog Design Afghan Wool Carpets
By Carpets CC
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Design Title: "Angry" Design inspired by Cecilia's Fox Terrier and his barking for protection. Lower right hand corner shows his collar. (his name is Magnus). The abrashed look com...
Wool
Handwoven Tulip Design Rug by Nea Hållfast, Wool, Scandinavian, 1970s
By Klockaregardens Hemslojd Scandinavian
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Swedish rug in the “Tulip” design by Nea Hållfast for Klockaregårdens Hemslöjd studio, (Sweden, Circa 1970s) has a light fox-brown field with 15 hori...
Wool
$76,931
W 88.59 in L 113 in
French Art Deco Rug Designed by Jean Burkhalter for Pierre Chareau Circa 1925
By Jean Burkhalter
Located in Milan, IT
An extremely rare Art Deco rug designed in 1925 by Jean Burkhalter and commissioned by Pierre Chareau for a seaside mansion on the island of Corsica....
Wool
1970s Tapestry by Claude Prévost, White and Orange Design, France
By Claude Prevost
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This tapestry in shades of white and orange dates from the 1970s and is signed. It is a sublime and rare tapestry by the artist Claude Prévost. Claude Prévost is a French designer r...
Wool
JAB Carpet From The 1970s By Georg Hesse
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare wool carpet designed in the Germany in the 1970 by Georg Hesse for Jab-Teppiche, model 'Aika', no. 407/023. No. 26. Square. Virgin wool, knotted, circular motif in black, brown...
Wool
$4,108Sale Price|30% Off
W 99.61 in L 144.1 in
8.4x12 Ft Unusual Vintage Hand Knotted European Rug. French Design Wool Carpet
Located in Spring Valley, NY
A finely hand-knotted vintage European carpet from 1950s featuring an elegant design. The rug has even low wool pile on cotton foundation. It is heavy and lays flat on the floor, in ...
Wool
1980s wool Missoni rug, Italy
By Ottavio Missoni, Missoni Home
Located in Firenze, FI
This carpet by Ottavio Missoni with measures 235 cm. x 166 cm. is pure wool in the 1980s. It features a harmonious combination of light blue, yellow and brown hues, evoking a vibra...
Wool
Wall Tapestry Designed by Bjørn Wiinblad, 1970s
By Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Lejre, DK
Tapestry made in wool. Designed by Bjørn Wiinblad and hand woven in Portugal. Great original condition.
Wool
Wool Rug by Pierre Balmain
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Antwerp, BE
Balmain, a Parisian couturier designed this exceptional wool rug. This eclectic decorative piece would look good in a Hollywood Regency inspired interior Dimensions 200 x 300 cm. Lab...
Wool
Pierre Balmain Rug
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Impressive rectangular wool rug designed by couturier Pierre Balmain. Dimensions 240 x 170 cm (94.5 x 67 inch). Featuring the original label "Pierre Balmain Paris". France 19...
Wool