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 Vintage 1980s Five 5 Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five 5 Swirl Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Chunky Statement Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100% Genuine. ...
Gold Plate
Pierre Balmain Vintage Jewelled Medallion Crest Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Nice, FR
PIERRE BALMAIN vintage gold toned necklace featuring a PIERRE BALMAIN medallion crest at center embellished with clear crystals. Secure clasp closure. Embossed PB Paris. Indicativ...
Gilt Metal
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold South Sea Pearl and Diamond Necklace
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Unique and hard to find, an oversized, baroque white south sea pearl is studded with round brilliant cut diamonds. Each diamond is bezel set and hangs on a triple strand cable chain...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
14k Yellow Gold 4.00cttw. Old Mine Brilliant Alexandrite Necklace
Located in Hicksville, NY
Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 12.1 grams Alexandrite Details: Weight: 4.00ct, total weight Cut: Old Mine Brilliant / Antique Cushion Color: Greenish-Bl...
Yellow Gold
$4,980
W 0.78 in D 0.15 in L 1.1 in
Natural Green Jadeite and Diamond Pendant in 18K Gold with Necklace
Located in Macau, MO
A translucent green natural jadeite pendant in perfect round shape, decorated with round brilliant-cut diamonds, weighing 0.137 carats in total, mounted in 18 karat white gold. The...
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
1970 Black Stallion Horse Pendant 14K Yellow Gold with Diamond Eye
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1970 Item Details: Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 5.5 grams Diamond Details: Measurement: 1/2 inch long Condition: Excellent Price: $1000
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Planished Double Round Paperclip Chain - 18"
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's 18 Karat Gold Planished Double Round Paperclip Link Chain, hand-crafted in her signature matte-finished green gold, embodies understated elegance and versatility. This sta...
Gold, 18k Gold
Chopard 18K White Gold 23 inches Chain
By Chopard
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Chopard necklace features a distinctive square pendant crafted in 18K white gold, set with approximately 1.50 carats of round brilliant diamonds. The iconic Happy Diamon...
18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Russian Gold Chain Necklace
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique imperial russian era 1907s 14k gold chain necklace in open work style made in moscow 1907s hall marked 56 imperial russian gold standard and moscow assay mark chain lenght 46cm
Yves Saint Laurent "Limited Edition" 331/500 Gilded Gold Vermeil Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent wonderfully elegant "Limited Edition" #331/500 two tier chain-link gunmetal accented with a huge pendant of polished gilded gold vermeil hardware ...
Yellow Gold Diamond Cut Rope Chain Necklace 32" - 14k
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Chain Style: Diamond Cut Rope Necklace Style: Chain Fastening Type: Tube Box Clasp with One Side Safety Clasp Measurements Length: 32" Width: 1/16" ...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yves Saint Laurent Thick Gold Vermeil Necklace with Matching Earrings Set
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent wonderfully detailed gilded gold vermeil finish thick necklace with matching earrings are accented with multi-size rhinestones. Both ...
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Hour Glass Pendant
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1980s Item Details: Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.6 grams Pendant Measurement: 18.4mm x 7.5mm Condition: Excellent Price: $400 Payment...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14k White Gold Diamond Tahitian Pearl Pendant
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Metal Type: 14K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.0 grams Diamond Details: .10ct, total weight, G-H Color, SI Measurement: .5 inch long Condition: Excellent
White Gold
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five 5 Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five 5 Swirl Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Chunky Statement Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100% Genuine. ...
Gold Plate
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five 5 Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Wokingham, England
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Unisex Five 5 Swirl Conch Shell Charms Bib Pendant Chunky Statement Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Come with original pouch. 100% Genuine. ...
Gold Plate
Pierre Balmain Vintage 1980s Five Conch Shell Charms Pendant Chunky Necklace
By Pierre 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% Genuine. A unique piece. Rare t...
Gold Plate
Pierre Balmain Vintage Jewelled Medallion Crest Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Nice, FR
PIERRE BALMAIN vintage gold toned necklace featuring a PIERRE BALMAIN medallion crest at center embellished with clear crystals. Secure clasp closure. Embossed PB Paris. Indicativ...
Pierre Balmain Vintage Egyptian Revival Scarab Choker Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Nice, FR
PIERRE BALMAIN vintage Egyptian revival scarab choker necklace. This necklace consists of three raws of gold tone chain with white glass beads. Centra...