Pierre Balmain
From The Fashion Dictionary
Renown fashion designer Pierre Balmain (Pierre Alexandre Claudius Balmain) was born in Jean de Maurienne, France, on May 18, 1914. Balmain was a noted fashion designer that incorporated lots of elegance and sophistication into his designs, stating that "dressmaking is the architecture of movement."
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Pierre Balmain's Early Life
Pierre Balmain's future in fashion was easy to foresee, as both his mother and sister owned and operated their own boutique. Balmain's father passed away when he was only 7 years old. He studied architecture at the Ecole de Beaux Arts, but did not finish as he was more preoccupied with making dresses. While attending school, Balmain approached fashion designer Edward Molyneux and asked him for a trial run. Balmain worked with Molyneux from 1934 to 1939.
After WWII, Balmain joined Lucien Lelong and finally opened his own fashion house in 1954. His collection included long Bell-Shaped Skirts and small waists, a line which later became Christian Dior's "New Look" staple.
In 1951, he opened his own chains in the United States, selling ready-to-wear couture. During the 1950s, Balmain popularized the stole for day as well as evening wear and created a vogue for sheath dresses beneath jackets. Balmain's talents as a designer laid in his ability to produce simple, yet very elegant suits and night dresses.
Years of Renewal
In the 1960s, Pierre Balmain renewed his creations by using fabrics for the creation of uncluttered designs accenting pure structure and contrasts of cut and style. This skyrocketed Balmain's designs as celebrities as well as royalty became interested in his creations. He designed personal wardrobes for numerous celebrities including Brigitte Bardot, Marlene Dietrich, and Katherine Hepburn. He was also the personal coutourier of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand. [1]
Balmain House Expands
Pierre Balmain wanted to get his brand across as much as possible, so he introduced perfume into his collection. His first fragrance bore his company's address Elysees 64-83 (1947). The second fragrance,Vent Vert (1947) was one of the most successful fragrances of the 1940s and 1950s. This was followed by Jolie Madame (1953), Ivoire (1979), and finally came Eau d'Amazonie (2006). [2]
Awards
Balmain was nominated for several awards including the Tony Award for Best Costume Design and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design for Happy New Year in 1980. Balmain was also credited for his costume designs for Sophia Loren in The Millionairess in 1960 as well as Josephine Baker. He designed costumes for 16 different films and also clothed their actresses.
The Legacy Continues
Pierre Balmain sadly disappeared in 1982, but his legacy was continued by Erik Mortensen, who had been his personal assistance and collaborator since 1951. Since then, Mortensen has won numerous awards for his Haute Couture designs.