Olivier Rousteing is leaving Balmain after a 16-year association, 14 of them spent as the house’s creative director.
The fashion house confirmed his exit on Wednesday, November 5, bringing to a close one of the longest modern creative tenures in luxury fashion.
In a statement, Rousteing expressed pride in his work and gratitude to the team he called his family during his years at Balmain.
Born in Bordeaux in 1985, Rousteing trained at the Ecole Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode and began his career at Roberto Cavalli. He joined Balmain in 2009 under Christophe Decarnin and, in 2011 at age 24, was named creative director — becoming the first Black designer to lead a French luxury house.
Rousteing’s collections were known for bold silhouettes, heavy embellishment and theatrical glamour. Under his leadership Balmain’s commercial profile soared, with reported revenue increasing about tenfold.
Celebrities including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Cher and Kim Kardashian became prominent ambassadors, and his 2015 collaboration with H&M famously sold out within hours.
He also broadened the brand’s scope by launching beauty and fragrance partnerships with Estée Lauder and reviving