Pierre Balmain was a French fashion designer who specialised in woman’s fashion. Originally training to be an architect he discovered his love for design in university. From an early age he was exposed to fashion as his mother ran a small boutique where he lived. He revolutionised post-war fashion and established the fashion house ‘Balmain’.

He was influenced heavily by different women he’d see on the street in a post war French society. Initially creating long bell skirts his work was very feminine contrasting the utilitarian style of that time. His work was elegant and the height of sophistication. His pieces were full skirts with nipped in waistlines, intensifying a woman’s form and charm. Each dress was richly embroidered with embellishments and delicate details making each piece unique. He fell in love with the art of dress making calling it “the architecture of movement’. He actively promoted himself internationally, for example creating a single line for Australia intensely booting his fame.