Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing took to the red carpet of the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas this week to announce his upcoming partnership with iconic brand H&M. Following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfield in 2004 and Wang in 2014, Rousteing hinted at what’s to come with Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn arm-in-arm, flaunting pieces from the collaboration.
Rousteing was promoted to head designer at the historic Parisian brand in 2011. Influenced by the confident style of the modern woman and the intricate, masterful embroidery and detailing of the couture masters before him, Balmain has been on a path of rapid growth since the designer took creative control almost five years ago. But Balmain’s upcoming collaboration with H&M is set to see the brand – and designer’s – household recognition skyrocket.
The 29-year-old designer is joining a list of high-profile collaborations as the H&M series enters its 11th year. The prior collections have all been an enormous success, and if the preview provided at the Billboard Music Awards was any indication then Balmain is set to provide one of the best collaborations yet.
Rousteing spoke to fashion website Style with humility about the opportunity to partner with H&M:
“It’s a big achievement, professionally and also personally. Professionally, you build a world and they want to be part of it. They want to be part of the Balmain army, which is amazing. Personally, it’s an amazing challenge as a designer to make a collection for the street market and for the entire world…
With H&M, you know you’re part of the world, you touch all the continents. I’ve always been loud about being about diversity and the world. So it’s perfect.”
H&M’s head of design, Ann-Sofie Johansson, spoke highly of the young designer, stating he is “true to the Balmain DNA, but at the same time is designing for the new generation, and that is a mix between something couture-like, very glamorous, with a bit of streetwear attitude.”
His interesting style and desire to dress all people is something H&M aims to build on and work with in this collaboration. The collection will include womenswear, menswear, shoes and accessories, and is due for release November 5 of this year. #HMBalmaination
