Olivier Rousteing Is Leaving Balmain
After 14 years as creative director, Olivier Rousteing is departing Balmain, a house he modernized with inclusivity and glamour. He transformed the historic French atelier into a globally recognized brand during his tenure.
Career Milestones
- Appointed in April 2011 at just 25 years old.
- Youngest non-founding creative director of a major brand since Yves Saint Laurent at Dior.
- First Black person to serve as creative director across all categories in a French fashion house.
- One of the longest-serving creative directors in a time of rapid turnover.
Statement from Olivier Rousteing
“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. 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.”
Background and Early Career
Rousteing studied at the École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode in Paris. Before Balmain, he spent five years at Roberto Cavalli in Milan, rising from an 18-year-old intern to head of womenswear. He joined Balmain in 2009 as a womenswear designer.
Olivier Rousteing leaves behind a lasting impact on Balmain through innovation and diversity, marking the end of a significant creative era.