Balmain

One of the key figures of the fashion world and an honored member of the High Fashion Syndicate - Balmain (Balmain) still sets the canon of contemporary French chic. During its more than half a century history, the brand has experienced many ups and downs. The only thing that remains the same - to the grace and elegance that Balmain things emit, it is impossible to remain indifferent.

From early childhood, the designer and founder of the brand Pierre Balmain (Pierre Balmain) confidently walked towards the fate of professional couturier. He received a first-class school, working as an assistant with the leading fashion designers of the time - Edward Molyneux and Lucien Lelong, including working with budding Christian Dior.

Immediately after the Second World War, in 1945, Pierre Balmain opened his own studio. Hungry for a chic life during the war and devastation, Paris gladly accepted the first collection of the master - refined dresses made of shiny fabric with a whalebone bodice, a heap of silk flying tulle and lace, sophisticated multilayered hand embroidery from glass beads, rhinestones, artificial stones and pearls. It was this couturier who brought into use the classic silhouette of an evening dress, subsequently monopolized Dior - the combination of an aspen waist with a full bell skirt.

In the wake of success in his homeland, Balmen is trying to realize himself across the ocean. In 1950, the first Balmain boutique was opened in New York - the first specialized fashion store of this type in America. Especially successful was the idea of ​​the couturier to pave the way to success through blue screens - the designer actively collaborates with Hollywood, creates costumes for the film industry hits and dresses actresses of the first magnitude - Bridget Bardot, Marlene Dietrich, Vivien Leigh, Carol Baker and others.

The frantic popularity and commercial success of the brand, despite its exorbitant prices and focus strictly on representatives of the high society, Balmain pursued for nearly two decades. It was this couturier who was preferred by aristocracy and royals, world celebrities and celebrities. Gradually the collections expanded: refined and stylish shoes, accessories, a line of perfumes were added.

The production of branded watches was highlighted in a separate direction - the joint work of Balmain and the largest Swiss watch company Swatch Group. One of Pierre’s assistants was Karl Lagerfeld, who later became famous.

But, by the beginning of the 70s, the brand began to not keep pace with the change in current trends in fashion and take positions. The pompousness and pretentiousness of the style, the high cost of manual decoration were inferior to the restrained simplicity of the competitors - first of all, Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent. In an effort to maintain his position, Pierre Balmain and his right hand, Eric Mortensen, who became the head of the brand after the founder’s death in 1982, set up pret-a-porte clothing.

Up until the early 2000s, the brand was going through tense times. Despite a number of awards in the field of design and individual successful collections, frequent public attention is not attracted. The commercial condition of the house reached the point that Balmain several times put up for auction and was forced to massively sell licenses to everyone in a row. Leadership, owners and leading designers are replaced as in a kaleidoscope, but there have been no significant improvements.

In 2005, the house gained new perspectives with the arrival of creative director Christoph Descarten, who had previously worked with Paco Rabanne for many years. He managed to carry out a successful rebranding of the brand, retaining the traditional philosophy of sophisticated femininity and luxury.New topical and sophisticated outfits from Balmain once again become a regular companion of the red tracks and high life. Since 2008, the brand began to produce men's clothing - sporty aggressive style and strict minimalist suits quietly coexist in collections with each other.

In 2011, the state of health forced Descarten to transfer the post to a young, talented Olivier Rusten, who consolidated his success and developed Balmain's prospects in the fashion world with bold and extravagant ideas. Open dresses, sundresses, T-shirts - formal suits, biker leather jackets and suede jackets, an abundance of rivets and rhinestones, skillful play with relief and embroidery, ethnic and rock-n-roll motifs of the latest collections help create a unique stylish and sexy image of a modern dynamic person . A number of steps were made towards the democratization of the brand, for example, joint collections with H & M.

Today, Balmain women's and men's clothing can be described as Art Deco - the strict geometry of dresses and eclectic style. The 2017 spring-summer collection stood out for its unexpected lack of embroidery. The traditional for the brand redundancy of details manifested itself in the ingenious interweaving of the cutouts - although, compared with previous years, the designer reduced the rate for aggressive eroticism.

The collection includes:

• corset bustier dress;
• pencil skirts, jeans or tight pants with a massive belt at the waist;
• stockings and lace-up blouses, silk tunics and rich drapery T-shirts decorated with rhinestones;
• flying chiffon dresses with cuts to the thigh.

The style is dominated by muted and warm sand shades, Egyptian themes, strict things with graphic prints. Among the accents, Olivier Rusten left characteristic knitted fabrics, lame, silk, velvet and mesh.

One of the radical decisions of Olivier Rustin in the Balmain concept was the deliberate rudeness of shoes. The relevance of the trend captured not only celebrities, but also gained popularity among the masses. Comfortable, stylish and practical demi-season boots with a carefully tuned shoe, optimal for comfortable walking.

Genuine leather is not only aesthetic, but also much less soiled. The external roughness of the model does not spoil the owner's legs, gently emphasizing their fragility and slimness.

Summer denim boots with boots are worthy of attention by fashionistas.

Since 1995, the Swatch Group holding has fully purchased all exclusive rights for Balmain watch products. Today the production center is located in the famous city of watchmakers Saint-Imier in the canton of Jura, according to the most stringent requirements of Swiss quality.

The magnificence of the décor of exquisite outfits is perfectly complemented by a dial decorated with a signature arabesque - the patented brand business card. The standard of style is considered to be the ruler Elysées. Among the truly elegant works of art, every woman should pay attention to Pierre Balmain and Chronolady chronographs with diamonds. Their unique design is perfectly combined with both business and youth trends in the fashion world and is not subject to the destructive run of time.

Fully and comprehensively express their individuality will help branded perfume Balmain Paris. At the beginning of each season, a special collection of fragrances is produced, filled with both discreet traditional and bright non-standard novelties. Cosmetics brand includes professional tools for hair extensions and care. Ready-made and convenient solutions for false hair will help to prepare a hairstyle for a new, more effective image.

Under the sign of the brand Balmain, there are many additional accessories that combine traditional style, luxury and practicality. Cane umbrellas and folding mechanical models, fountain pens, wallets, etc. Even such trifles as a branded comb have a significant effect on the harmonious composition of a single and refined image.

Buyers are delighted with brand products. Numerous enthusiastic reviews on thematic and general forums clearly indicate this. Clothes, shoes and accessories of the brand at first glance conquer with their stylish look and luxury. When new collections appear on the shelves, in front of the boutiques, real queues are gathered and specialized online stores are inundated with orders.

The main thing that is unanimously noted in all the reviews - when confronted with the original Balmain strikes an exceptional quality of work. Impeccable firmware of each seam, filigree finish. The materials are carefully selected, very soft and pleasant to the touch. Despite the secular specifics of products, things are extremely wearable, durable and comfortable in everyday life.

Periodically, users note two negative points - a fairly high price and a high probability of meeting a fake (in the absence of a proven supplier).