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Pierre Balmain (1904-1982) worked under Robert Pigiuet, Molyneux, and Lucian Lelong, where he worked closely with Christian Dior. He opened his own house in 1945.

Balmain shared a very sculptural quality with other designers of the 1950s, which was always allied with a ladylike essence. His dresses had a body and a shape of their own. In addition to his couture label, there was a boutique line and accessories.

Balmain died in 1982. His house was run by Erik Mortensen until 1990, who was succeeded by Antoine Alistair Blair and Herve Pierre. In 1993, Oscar de la Renta was appointed Directeur Artistique de la Haute Couture at the House of Balmain. Starting in 2002, the collection was designed by Christophe Decarnin who left the house in 2011. He was succeeded by Olivier Rousteing.

Written by pastperfectvintage.com


from an early 1950s jacket - Courtesy of vintagetrend

from an early 1950s jacket

Courtesy of vintagetrend

from a 1950s sundress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1950s sundress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1954 gown - Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a 1954 gown

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a mid 1950s wool dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a mid 1950s wool dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a late 1950s hat - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a late 1950s hat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1960s dress - Courtesy of circavintageclothing

from a 1960s dress

Courtesy of circavintageclothing

from a 1960s dress - Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1960s dress

Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1968 couture gown - Courtesy of couturallure.com

from a 1968 couture gown

Courtesy of couturallure.com

from a 1960s hat - Courtesy of Circa Vintage

from a 1960s hat

Courtesy of Circa Vintage

from a 1960s dress - Courtesy of clairefrilly

from a 1960s dress

Courtesy of clairefrilly

from a 1970s dress - Courtesy of catwalkcreative

from a 1970s dress

Courtesy of catwalkcreative

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of novafashions

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of novafashions

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of pinupdresses

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of pinupdresses

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

logo from a pair of 1980s shoes - Courtesy of chezmov

logo from a pair of 1980s shoes

Courtesy of chezmov

from a late 1980s dress - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a late 1980s dress

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from an early 1990s skirt suit - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from an early 1990s skirt suit

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1990s tie - Courtesy of AntiqueTrader

from a 1990s tie

Courtesy of AntiqueTrader