Parisian fashion powerhouse Balmain has named Oliver Rousteing, a 25-year-old French born African, as its creative director. Rousteing, born in France and raised in Bourdeaux, holds a degree from the Parisian fashion school ESMOD (l’Ecole Supérieure des Arts et techniques de la Mode) and has been in charge of the womenswear design at the label. He is a relative unknown but has worked at Balmain since 2009. Prior to that, he spent five years at Roberto Cavalli.
Rousteing replaces Christophe Decarmin who left the company earlier this month due to strategic disputes with Balmain’s chairman Alain Hivelin.
Alain Hivelin has since said that he looks forward to this new era for the house. “I am convinced Oliver’s talent and ability to build upon the success of the house,” Hivelin said in a statement. “He begins his new task with a great understanding and appreciation of the unique DNA of the brand.”
“I plan to honour that confidence by ensuring that Pierre Balmain always remains one of the leading brands that others look to as a reference,” Rouseteing responded.
Only time will tell what Rousteing will inevitably bring to the label, but the future looks very bright for the young designer.
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Balmain SP/SU 2011 Show
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Balmain Spring/Summer 2011
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Beyonce in Balmain Crystal Embellished Canvas Jacket.
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Victoria Beckham in Balmain Mes Cocos Jacket.
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Kanye West in Balmain Teddy Leather Jacket and Zebra Print Shirt.
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Jay-Z in Balmain Distressed Camoflauge Hoodie.
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Rihanna on the cover of July 2010 ELLE Magazine in a Balmain dress.
