AN EMBROIDERED LEGACY
THE HOUSE CODES
At Balmain, embroidery is more than embellishment—it is a language of identity, craftsmanship, and boundless inspiration. Perhaps the purest essence of haute couture, embroidery remains the most accomplished expression of Balmain's artistry.
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Throughout the house's history, intricate needlework has defined the richness and sophistication of its silhouettes.
Pearls are a signature in Balmain's embroidered creations. Pierre Balmain cherished them so deeply that he dedicated his entire Spring-Summer 1959 collection to pearls, mother-of-pearl, and marine motifs—a tribute to sea foam and oceanic forms. Whether scattered delicately or massed dramatically, pearls impart luminosity, texture, and timeless elegance. Interwoven with crystals, metal studs, and sequins, they create a visual rhythm reflecting the house's couture heritage and audacious modernity.
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Balmain's embroidered inspirations are strikingly diverse: garlands of flowers, winding botanical branches, and baroque foliage evoke French decorative arts, while geometric interlacing suggests architectural motifs—from trellises to marble inlays and ornamental friezes. These embroidered surfaces blur the line between garment and artwork, celebrating an eternal balance of tradition and innovation.
PEARL BEAUTY
“The word Baroque in French was originally used to describe the distinctive silhouettes of some of the world’s most highly valued pearls. So, it seems only fitting that many of the Baroque-inspired designs of this house rely on complex and precise pearl embroidery.”
Olivier Rousteing
2012 Fabergé collection
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BALMAIN’S MODERN BAROQUE
Of course, Balmain’s Baroque-inspired embellishments are always designed to complement how today’s new generations wishes to live and dress.
Fall-Winter 2021 Runway
During every Paris fashion week, true connoisseurs of this house can spot them as they make their way down the Balmain runway: those complex forms, ornate lines, and impressive embellishments that highlight the singular savoir-faire of the skilled artisans working inside Balmain’s historic atelier.
Olivier Rousteing explains the collection’s focus on a rich heritage.
Fall- Winter 2023 Runway
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Each piece attests to Balmain's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, advancing technical mastery while reinterpreting the House’s enduring legacy.
All of those Baroque flourishes help to add a sense of drama and richness to the designs that I oversee each season while building directly upon the many past Baroque-inspired designs from Monsieur Balmain.
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Fall-Winter 2025 Runway
MONOCHROME? YES.
MONOTONE? NEVER.
THE HOUSE CODES
