Pierre Balmain Art
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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Artist: Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain Paris 346 Zig Zag
By Pierre Balmain
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Original Pierre Balmain (1914-1982) couture fashion hand-coloured plate with 3 fabric swatches attached designed for New York society icon Nan Kempner (1930-2005) circa 1970s
Plate ...
Category
1970s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Fabric
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Fashion Designer Bio:
Perre Alexandre Claudius Balmain (1914-1982) was a well-known designer from France and the founder of Balmain fashion house. He was and still is known for his elegance and sophistication.
Balmain studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts, but he spent most of his time designing apparel. From 1934-1939 Balmain worked with Edward Molyneux (fashion designer) who offered him a trial. Balmain then worked after the War with Lucien Lelong and established his own fashion house that displayed bell-shaped and small waist skirts. This was a look that became famous later on through the brand Christian Dior. A family friend, Gertrude Stein wrote a commemorative piece on Balmain for Vogue magazine and following this an order was placed by the Duchess of Windsor.
By 1951, Balmain opened various branches of his label across America to sell his prêt-a-porter collections. During this time, he popularized some unique trends such as stoles, evening wear and he made sheath dresses with jackets a fad in the fashion market. He was talented in creating both simple and extravagant clothes, all with the similar aesthetics of graceful and slender lines. Pierre Balmain also created fragrances.
For his astounding creations and designs, he was nominated for Best Costume Designer by the Tony Award and Balmain received the Drama Desk Award for designing outstanding costumes for Happy New Year Broadway production in 1980. He designed costumes for Sophia Loren for The Millionaires, 1960 and Josephine Baker for her eponymous revue, 1964. He designed costumes for sixteen films and designed clothes for actresses Mae West and Vivien Leigh.
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Pierre Balmain art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Pierre Balmain art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Pierre Balmain in paint, watercolor, fabric and more. Not every interior allows for large Pierre Balmain art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Pierre Ambrogiani, Paul Henry Bony, and Eliane Diverly. Pierre Balmain art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $950, while the average work can sell for $950.
Artists Similar to Pierre Balmain
Questions About Pierre Balmain Art
- Where are Balmain shoes made?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Balmain makes most of its shoes at carefully vetted factories in China that are experienced in producing luxury footwear. In the past, Balmain manufactured its shoes in France and Italy. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of Balmain shoes.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022While Balmain footwear is designed in France, the majority of Balmain shoes are made in China. Some of the brand’s leather styles are crafted in Italy. Shop a collection of Balmain footwear from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 13, 2024Pierre Balmain was the founder of Balmain, an iconic haute couture house based in Paris, France. Under creative director Olivier Rousteing, the brand introduced an affordable diffusion line named for its founder in 2011.
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, 2022Pierre 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 ExpertMay 13, 2024Balmain is the name of a luxury brand founded by French couturier Pierre Balmain in 1945. Pierre Balmain is also the name of one of Balmain’s diffusion lines.
Launched in 2011 under Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing, the diffusion line was largely inclusive of apparel intended for casual wear and offered at affordable price points. It targeted a younger segment of buyers.
Shop a collection of vintage Balmain on 1stDibs. - How do Pierre Balmain jeans fit?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 28, 2024Pierre 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 22, 2022To 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, 2022There 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.