Olivier Rousteing steps down from Balmain

Just when we thought fashion was beginning to settle after a tumultuous year of big announcements and even bigger debuts, French designer Olivier Rousteing has stepped down from his post as creative director of Balmain after 14 years at the house. 

“I am deeply proud of all that I’ve accomplished, and profoundly grateful to my exceptional team at Balmain, my chosen family, in a place that has been my home for the past 14 years,” said Rousteing in a statement. As I look ahead to the future and the next chapter of my creative journey, I will always hold this treasured time close to my heart.” 

Rousteing made history with his appointment at the house back in 2011, becoming the first Black person to lead design at a French heritage house, as well as the youngest non-founding designer to be handed the reins at a major house (he was 25) since Yves Saint Laurent was appointed at Dior (aged 19).

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Olivier for writing such an important chapter in the history of Balmain House. Olivier’s contribution and passion over the past years will leave an indelible mark on the history of fashion,” said Balmain CEO Matteo Sgarbossa.

Prior to becoming creative director at Balmain, Rousteing had worked under his predecessor Christophe Decarnin since 2009, and before that, worked at Roberto Cavalli – where he was creative director of womenswear for five years. Over the past 14 years, Rousteing successfully catapulted Balmain into the public eye, forming a ‘Balmain Army’ of the world’s most famous faces including Rihanna, Beyoncé and the Kardashians. 

Following Rousteing’s first full year at the brand, Balmain recorded revenues of €30.4 million, meanwhile last year, its revenues were ten times that, estimated at €300 million. In the early 2010s, as Instagram began to really take off and Kim Kardashian was the second most followed person on the app (Justin Bieber was number one), Rousteing harnessed the power of social media and built relationships with his celebrity admirers. By 2014, Balmain was the epitome of glamour, and subsequently, influenced an entire generation of teenage girls looking to emulate the Balmain silhouette. 

There are few modern designers who have been able to change the way young women dress on a global scale, but Olivier Rousteing’s tenure at Balmain undoubtedly achieved that. In more ways than one, his time at the brand will go down in fashion history.