Pierre Balmain was a French fashion designer who founded the leading post-war fashion house Balmain. Known for sophistication and elegance, he described the art of dressmaking as "the architecture of movement".

Balmain was born in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, France, in 1914. He studied architecture at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, but he soon realized that his true passion was fashion. In 1934, he began working as an apprentice for the couturier Robert Piquet. In 1938, he moved to London to work for Edward Molyneux.

After the outbreak of World War II, Balmain returned to France and served in the French air force. After the war, he opened his own couture house in Paris in 1945. His first collection was an immediate success, and he quickly became one of the most sought-after designers in the world.

Balmain's designs were known for their elegant more...

30 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Balmain, M-Monogram raffia folded shopping bag; styled in black…

Balmain M-Monogram Raffia Folded Shopping Bag with Leather Base

Balmain, M-Monogram raffia folded shopping bag; styled in black and natural monogram woven raffia with gold tone hardware and black leather base, featuring dual plaited shoulder straps and gold tone hardware, 33 x 42 x 14 cm.

Balmain, disco shoulder bag, styled in black leather with gold…

Balmain Black Leather Disco Shoulder Bag with Gold Tone Hardware

Balmain, disco shoulder bag, styled in black leather with gold tone hardware, featuring embossed B detail, 18 x 18 x 4 cm.

Balmain, M-Monogram raffia folded shopping bag, styled in black…

Balmain M-Monogram Raffia Folded Shopping Bag with Gold Hardware

Balmain, M-Monogram raffia folded shopping bag, styled in black and natural monogram woven raffia with gold tone hardware and black leather base, featuring dual plaited shoulder straps and gold tone hardware, 33 x 42 x 14 cm.

Balmain, 1945 monogram tote, styled in pink and white Pb…

Pink and White Balmain Monogram Tote with Leather Trim

Balmain, 1945 monogram tote, styled in pink and white Pb monogram jacquard canvas with tonal leather trim, cut-out top handles, conforming shoulder strap and gold tone logo plaque accent, 30 x 35 x 15 cm.

Balmain, knit dress, black lame yarn with long sleeves, gold…

Balmain Black Lame Knit Dress with Gold Buttons

Balmain, knit dress, black lame yarn with long sleeves, gold tone buttons along one shoulder and sleeves, padded shoulders, knit lining, labelled 'Balmain made in Portugal', size 38. Provenance: under instructions from the Receivers of the property of…

Balmain, Relaxed cardigan, pink and white wool blend with…

Balmain Pink and White Cardigan with Gold Buttons - Size 46

Balmain, Relaxed cardigan, pink and white wool blend with silver metallic thread, round neckline, with heavy gold tone embossed buttons with 'B', press stud closure, four front pockets, shoulder pads, labelled 'Balmain', excellent condition, size 46. With…

Balmain, double breasted jacket, corn flower blue with silver…

Balmain Blue Double Breasted Jacket with Silver Buttons

Balmain, double breasted jacket, corn flower blue with silver tone buttons, peak lapels, two faux front flap pockets, fabric lining, labelled 'Balmain made in Slovakia', size 40. Provenance: under instructions from the Receivers of the property of Melissa…

Balmain, double breasted blazer, metallic gold heavily textured…

Balmain Gold Textured Blazer with Lion Buttons, Size 34

Balmain, double breasted blazer, metallic gold heavily textured twill, featuring signature lion's head buttons, labelled 'Balmain Paris made in Bulgaria', size 34

Pierre Balmain silk scarf oversized paisley print of brown tones

Oversized Paisley Silk Scarf by Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain silk scarf oversized paisley print of brown tones

Pierre Balmain, the 'Peacock' gown painted white nylon tulle…

Peacock Debutant Gown by Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain, the 'Peacock' gown painted white nylon tulle debutant gown, embellished with alternating feathers and painted velvet feathers and scattered gold sequins. Fully lined, corsetry and boning at the bust, zip and hook closure to back waist.…

An evening bag by Balmain, styled in black leather with green…

Balmain Leather Evening Bag with Green Beads

An evening bag by Balmain, styled in black leather with green bead detail, gold metal hardware and detachable gold chain strap, 14 x 18.5 x 4 cm.

A belt by Balmain, styled in red leather with two tone metal…

Balmain Red Leather Belt with Two-Tone Buckle (9 words)

A belt by Balmain, styled in red leather with two tone metal buckle, stamped 38.

Three various vintage French perfume bottles including Pierre…

Vintage French Perfume Bottle Collection

Three various vintage French perfume bottles including Pierre Balmain 'Jolie Madame' in original packaging, Balenciago 'Le Dix' in original packaging, and Corday Paris top of packaging missing, height 11 cm approx tallest bottle only

Three French silk scarves and a hanky including Pierre Balmain,…

French Designer Silk Scarves and Handkerchief Collection

Three French silk scarves and a hanky including Pierre Balmain, Jean Desprez, and Hermes

Balmain Paris black belt with ornate gold gilt buckle, model…

Balmain Paris Black Belt with Gold Gilt Buckle (Size 38)

Balmain Paris black belt with ornate gold gilt buckle, model 9452, size 38 waist

A belt by Balmain, styled in red leather with two tone metal…

Red Leather Balmain Belt with Two-Tone Metal Buckle

A belt by Balmain, styled in red leather with two tone metal buckle, stamped 38.

A shirt by Balmain, styled in printed blue silk with gold lion…

Balmain Blue Silk Shirt with Gold Lion Buttons - Size 42

A shirt by Balmain, styled in printed blue silk with gold lion head buttons, labelled size 42.

A Pullover by Balmain, styled in black viscose with rhinestone…

Balmain Black Rhinestone Pullover - Size FR38 - New

A Pullover by Balmain, styled in black viscose with rhinestone embellishment, labelled size FR38, original tags attached.

A scarf by Balmain, styled in multicoloured modal, 136 cm…

Balmain Multicoloured Modal Scarf - New with Tags

A scarf by Balmain, styled in multicoloured modal, 136 cm square, original tags attached.

A jacket by Balmain, styled in quilted green lambskin suede…

Balmain Green Quilted Suede Jacket with Gold Zip Detail

A jacket by Balmain, styled in quilted green lambskin suede with gold zip detail, size 40.

A pair of trousers by Balmain, styled in khaki silk, size 38,…

Balmain Khaki Silk Trousers, Size 38, New with Tags

A pair of trousers by Balmain, styled in khaki silk, size 38, original tags attached

A blouse by Balmain, styled in printed silk, labelled size 40,…

Balmain Silk Printed Blouse, Size 40 with Tags

A blouse by Balmain, styled in printed silk, labelled size 40, original tags attached.

A dress by Balmain, styled in green wool with gold buttons,…

Green Wool Balmain Dress with Gold Buttons, Size 42

A dress by Balmain, styled in green wool with gold buttons, size 42

A Mini dress by Balmain, styled in blue denim with gem…

Balmain Gem-Embellished Denim Mini Dress (Size 38)

A Mini dress by Balmain, styled in blue denim with gem embellishment, labelled size 38.

A jacket by Balmain, styled in red cotton blend with silk lapel…

Balmain Red Jacket with Gold Buttons - Size 40

A jacket by Balmain, styled in red cotton blend with silk lapel and gold button detail, labelled size 40, original tags attached.

A jacket by Balmain, styled in marbled satin with gold lions…

Balmain Satin Jacket with Gold Lion Buttons, Size 40

A jacket by Balmain, styled in marbled satin with gold lions head buttons, size 40.

A dress by Balmain, styled in black and white sequined pattern,…

Balmain Sequined Dress in Black and White (Size 40)

A dress by Balmain, styled in black and white sequined pattern, with silk lining, labelled size 40.

A jacket by Balmain, styled in white cotton/silk blend with…

Balmain White Jacket with Gold Buttons and Silk Lapel (9 words)

A jacket by Balmain, styled in white cotton/silk blend with silk lapel and gold button detail, labelled size 40, original tags attached.

A rare Logo Bowling bag by Pierre Balmain, Paris, circa 1965,…

Pierre Balmain Logo Bowling Bag, 1965

A rare Logo Bowling bag by Pierre Balmain, Paris, circa 1965, constructed in woven canvas and navy leather with brass fittings, silk lining bearing inset leather label 'Pierre Balmain, Paris, Made in France'. In good condition with pitting to brass &…

Two Pierre Balmain Scarves, Paris, 'Carre en Soie' printed, one…

Pierre Balmain Printed Scarves with Small Stains

Two Pierre Balmain Scarves, Paris, 'Carre en Soie' printed, one of blue, green geometrical design, the other green, red, and black. Small stains