Balmain launches '44 François Premier' eveningwear capsule

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jan 24, 2018

The house of Balmain has launched an eveningwear capsule during the Haute Couture Paris fashion week.

 
“I now have the luxury of focusing the spotlight solely on the unique heritage that Pierre Balmain left with us,” explained Balmain’s hard-charging creative director Olivier Rousteing.
 
All things considered, they are essentially classic references of Balmain, la jolie madame but every look made into evening dresses.

Just 10 outfits presented on stockmen inside Balmain’s impressive new headquarters, a grand cut stone corner building on rue Pasquier. Though this couture collection is named 44 François Premier after the house’s historic location, where it still has a flagship boutique.
 
What stood out were a stunning piped blazer made of micro sequins and beads made into a grand gala robe. And a sweeping screen goddess column with cut out worthy of being worn by an Oscar winner.
 
“Working on this collection is a bit of a palette cleanser for me—a chance to return to the beginnings of this house, with the single driving goal being that of creating unique and exquisite pieces, far removed from editorial and runway pressures,” added Rousteing.
 
The collection will be made available at headquarters and in selected Balmain flagships worldwide.
 
“As a friend pointed out the other day, it’s more than a little ironic that I—an adopted child, unsure of his own origins—ended up as Creative Director of an historic house that continually references its storied heritage. Of course, over the past six years, I’ve often relied on that singular legacy, turning to Balmain’s rich archives for inspiration and constantly depending on our atelier for its mastery of age-old couture techniques,” concluded the French couturier.