Born: St-Jean-de-Maurienne, France, 1914
Died: Paris, France, 1982
A mover rather than a shaker, Pierre Balmain launched his career by working with three of fashion’s greats before branching out on his own. He began freelance drawing for Robert Piguet and then spent five years with Edward Molyneux before moving on to Lucien Lelong, where he sketched alongside a young designer called Christian Dior. Balmain’s own Parisian house opened on 12 October 1945. His pièce de résistance was an embroidered white brocade dinner dress worth 120,000 francs.
Although Balmain’s grandfather had owned a drapery business, financial difficulties prompted his mother to suggest that Pierre become a naval surgeon. He ignored her advice and instead, wrote to Piguet, Lelong, Jeanne Lanvin and Molyneux. The latter gave Balmain his first job.
On his own, Balmain’s clients included the Duchess of Windsor, the Duchess of Kent, Sophia Loren and the Queen of Siam._Since his death in 1982, many designers have taken over the Balmain mantle: first Erik Mortensen, then Alistair Blair. In November 1992 Hervé Pierre was replaced by Oscar de la Renta.
In his biography, My Years and Seasons published in 1964, Balmain reflected, ‘Business turnover may grow, personnel change, publicity [become] more blatant, but a couture house seldom escapes from the category in which it is initially placed. I was lucky that my first show earned me a high rating.’
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VINTAGE VOGUE PARIS ORIGINAL PIERRE BALMAIN PATTERN |  |
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US $14.98 | 1h 13m |
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PIERRE BALMAIN SILK MONOGRAMMED BUTTON UP BLOUSE SIZE M L | |
0 Bid | US $75.00 | 1h 20m |
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PIERRE BALMAIN BELTED KNIT CARDIGAN SWEATER SIZE 36 S | |
0 Bid | US $59.00 | 1h 21m |
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Pierre BALMAIN 70s Black Velvet Boyfriend BLAZER Jacket Gold buttons logo M L | |
0 Bid | US $20.00 | 1h 29m |
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6 PAIRS OF SHEER LUXURY TOP BRANDED PIERRE BALMAIN STEWARDESS STOCKINGS Black | |
5 Bids | US $20.19 | 2h 16m |
