Pierre Balmain opened his quintessentially Parisian couture house in 1945, creating a signature “jolie madame” aesthetic that became synonymous with easy glamour and simple elegance. Current creative director Olivier Rousteing, appointed in 2011, has updated the house’s boldly feminine codes with a youthful and international perspective. Essentials including structured jackets, body-con dresses, miniskirts, and skinny biker jeans enhance Balmain’s strong silhouettes and rich embroidery with cutouts, sheer fabrics, and vibrant color schemes that capture the confident sensuality of 21st-century luxury.