Olivier Rousteing becomes Balmain's new creative director

Olivier Rousteing, about whom we know very little, is Balmain's new creative director. Young designer takes over Christophe Decarnin, who was officially out of Balmain on 6th April. Very little is known about Olivier. He is a graduate of the French Internationational Fashion University, Ecole Supérieure des Arts et Techniques in Paris (ESMOD). He worked at Balmain since 2009, before that had been working at Roberto Cavalli for about six years.

The designer is said not to give interviews until his Spring/Summer 2012 collection, which will be shown in October at Paris Fashion Week.

We wish you luck, Olivier!

WWD

Christophe Decarnin leaves Balmain

Christophe Decarnin is leaving Paris fashion house Balmain after five years as creative director.

Decarnin was notably absent from the label's autumn/winter 2011 catwalk show.Balmain's owner, M. Alain Hivelin, commented: "He's tired, after working on the collection. He didn't go to bed until 5am. He's not here, he's resting".

The designer's close circle denies all the gossips that Christophe suffers from depression. They instead claim, that the relations between Decarnin and Hivelin got to their boiling point, because of absolutely different visions about the future of the brand.

 

Decarnin can be credited with breathing new life into the iconic French label, which has experienced mixed fortunes in recent years.  In 2003 the couture division was closed 2003 and shortly after, filed for bankruptcy. But when Christophe Decarnin joined in 2005, he gave stability to the brand and brought it back into fashion's spotlight. 'Balmainia' started.

Despite the fantastical price-tags (£1,000 for a pair of ripped jeans to £10,000 for a sequin mini-dress), the brand has expanded rapidly, particularly in Asia where it has opened new stores in Shanghai, Beijing, Beirut, Lebanon and Seoul.

We can't know what really happened, but to get rid of a person, who gave new life to a bankrupted brand - sorry, out of my understanding.

The Telegraph