Balmain is a French fashion house founded in 1946 in Paris by Pierre BALMAIN. After working for the fashion designer Lucien LELONG, Pierre BALMAIN decided to found his own house in 1945. This is the year that Maison Balmain was born. It opens at 44 rue François-I in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It istoday at this address that the parent company is located. His idea is to return to post-war black fashion. His work is recognizable by a very sharp style and treated volumes what quickly pleases the women of Paris. The designer defends the image of an active woman, elegant and a casual touch. His first collection pleases by the sobriety of the cuts, the choice of fabrics and colors (black, green, brown, red, purple). Head designers of Balmain 1945–1982: Pierre Balmain 1982–1986: Peggy Huynh Kinh 1982–1990: Erik Mortensen 1990–1992: Hervé Pierre Braillard 1993–2002: Oscar de la Renta 2002-2003: Laurent Mercier 2003–2006: Christophe Lebourg 2006–2011: Christophe Decarnin 2011–: Olivier Rousteing