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 Elegant Beadwork Choker
By Pierre Balmain
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Original Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Elegant Beadwork Choker from the 1950's. Bias chiffon covered "tube" base with hand beaded fringe of hand made pate de verre beads, faux p...
Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
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
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
$676 / item
Kubes Nomad Necklace In Gold Vermeil
Located in London, GB
A timeless classic and great for layering, this much-loved design has been revived from our archives. Guaranteed to elevate any outfit, this sterling silver necklace is handcrafted i...
Vermeil
Yves Saint Laurent short necklace Haute Couture
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Short golden metal necklace with rhinestones and iridescent glass pearls. Not signed jewelry from a fashion show. Condition: Very good conditio...
$12,000Sale Price|70% Off
NWT $20, 000 18KT Fancy Glittering Emerald Diamond Fancy Serpent Snake Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a Rare Important Radiant 18KT Gold Rare Gorgeous Fancy Emerald Diamond Serpent Snake Necklace. Necklace is comprised of a Gorgeous Array of Fanc...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
$3,440Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.79 in L 1.78 in
18 Karat Gold Channel Set Baguette Multi-Color Rainbow Diamond Cocktail Pendant
By VAIBHAV DHADDA JEWELLERY
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
18 karat gold channel set baguette multi-color rainbow diamond cocktail pendant. Art, color and culture all come together to inspire this 18 karat gold taper baguette cut multi-colo...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Topaz, Rho...
Bulgari Yellow and White Gold Long Chain Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Darnestown, MD
This long endless chain necklace by Bulgari alternates groups of five yellow with five white gold irregular links. They are intentionally out of round and each a little different. Th...
18k Gold
Keshi Natural Pearl Diamond Gold Pendant Necklace
By Baume
Located in Poitiers, FR
Baume creation - Unique piece. Pendant and chain in 18 carat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Featuring a claw set brilliant cut diamond with an oriental cultured white pearl and a...
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Y...
Vintage 1930s Silver Rhinestone Necklace Hallmark 935
Located in Nashville, TN
This truly mesmerising 1930's claw set round silver rhinestone necklace, in an alternating sized pattern, linked together with links along ...
Silver
Tiffany&Co Elsa Peretti 2.5 Carat Natural Diamonds by the Yard Platinum Necklace
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Authentic Tiffany & Company Platinum and Natural Diamond necklace weighing approximately 2.50 carats in total weight. The necklace is set with 11 natural colorless round brilliant d...
Diamond, Platinum
One-of-a-Kind 27ct Fantasy Cut Ametrine Sterling Silver Collar, 1984
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
Stunning Fantasy Cut Ametrine Collar Discover the beauty of our exquisite Fantasy Cut Ametrine, weighing approximately 27 carats, elegantly set in a handmade sterling silver collar. ...
Quartz, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Ben Wa Chain" Necklace Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Ben Wa Chain" Necklace was first designed by Betony Vernon in 1995 using lost wax elements and various sizes of rolo' chains in Sterling Silver 925. The timeless BV signature je...
Sterling Silver
22 Karat Gold Necklace Chain Yellow Gold
By Pamela Farland
Located in New York, NY
This Classical Etruscan and or Roman style, is woven chain in 22 karat gold with finials ornemented with granulation and is truly timeless. It can be worn ornamented with pendants or...
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
Chain Necklace Glitter Enamel Light Blue Pink Studs Made in Paris J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 2008 Paris Palladium Plated Chunky Stud Chain Necklace Blue Pink Enamel Designer: J Dauphin — Paris Archive The Vintage Palladium Stud Chain is a rare architectural statemen...
Palladium, Brass, Enamel
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
Vintage PIERRE BALMAIN Medallion Crest Rhinestone Necklace
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PIERRE BALMAIN Medallion Crest Rhinestone Necklace Measurements: Height: 2 5/8 inches Wearable Length: 16 1/8 inches Features: - 100% ...
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...