Balmain’s Creative Director Olivier Rousteing Steps Down After 14 Years
After a monumental 14-year tenure, Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing has announced his departure from the French fashion house. Rousteing, who became the youngest creative director in Paris since Yves Saint Laurent and the first Black person to lead all divisions of a French fashion house, leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements.
In a statement originally provided to Vogue, Rousteing expressed his gratitude to his team at Balmain and the opportunity given to him by Mr. Rachid Mohamed Rachid and Matteo Sgarbossa. He also shared his excitement for the future and the next chapter of his creative journey, while holding his time at Balmain close to his heart.
Before joining Balmain, Rousteing studied at Ecole Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode in Paris and worked at Roberto Cavalli, where he headed womenswear. He was then mentored by predecessor Christophe Decarnin, who took him under his wing when he joined the women’s ready-to-wear division in 2009. By 2011, Rousteing was appointed as the new creative director of Balmain at the young age of 24.
Under Rousteing’s leadership, Balmain entered a new era characterized by superstar muses like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé, as well as influential collaborations, including a viral partnership with H&M in 2015. Now 40 years old, Rousteing’s final Balmain show took place in October, marking the brand’s 80th anniversary.
In a statement from Vogue, Balmain CEO Matteo Sgarbossa expressed his deep gratitude to Rousteing for his contribution and passion over the past years, which will leave an indelible mark on the history of fashion. As of now, a successor has not been confirmed, but stay tuned to Hypebeast for the latest fashion industry insights.
