On a grey winter day in Paris, when a persistent drizzle dishevels even its chicest residents, Olivier Rousteing arrives at the Balmain headquarters in impeccable form. Dressed in all black, he radiates the star power of someone who is perpetually photo‑ready. Even at 10am.
Since Rousteing assumed the creative director role at Balmain in 2011, his image has been a billboard for the brand. With 7.9 million followers on Instagram, he represents the modern‑day celebrity our digital lives have shaped: The kind who seems glamorous and relatable at once. It’s a paradox he has harnessed since he took on the job at the age of 25, when he became not only the youngest creative director in Paris since Yves Saint Laurent for Christian Dior, but also one of the first Black designers to helm a luxury fashion house.
Without subscribing to what is done or expected, and often living designer, redefined what it means to be a luxury brand. Long before most, he embraced social media and influencers, elements once seen as in bad taste by his competitors. His vision of the Balmain woman was always inclusive and sometimes divisive, and he had foresight: He cast Rihanna in her first luxury fashion campaign in 2013 and, a year later, Kim Kardashian, alongside Ye, in theirs. He has also expanded the brand’s reach by introducing menswear, relaunching couture, and moving beyond traditional fashion channels with music festivals, a streaming short‑form drama series, and collaborations that span from Netflix to Barbie.
Denne historien er fra June 2022-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra June 2022-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The Great Unknown
It's a fresh chapter for Thai actress Nuttanicha "Nychaa" Dungwattanawanich as she strikes out on her own.
FINDING XANADU
Adventure, magic and freedom await in the land of the blue sky, Mongolia.
TALKING POINTS
From the worlds of Art, Culture, Travel and Design.
TIMELESS LUXURY
In Hosanna Swee and Tom Chng's stunning apartment, an eye for detail and love for horological collectibles reveals an elegant and minimalist escape.
PRIM FOR PRIMETIME
Chanikarn \"Prim\" Tangkabodee reminisces on her journey from a child actor to a superstar in-the-making.
INSPIRATION
The suave music artiste is no stranger to the world of fashion. In fact, he describes fashion as the forefront of his and his family's personal expression, as well as a form of manners.
WELL, SUITED?
As attitudes towards dress codes shift, is the suit about to exit our closets?
DARK HORSE
In his next role and what is easily his most challenging character to date―actor Brian Ng wants one thing from you: your hatred.
THE POWER OF PERETTI
In a hidden village of Sant Marti Vell in Spain, where Elsa Peretti lived, loved and created enduring symbols of design and beauty for Tiffany & Co., Kenneth Goh traces and marvels at her 50 years of legacy.
REDEFINING ROYALTY
Chaumet's Charles Leung talks to BAZAAR about the beauty and the resilience of the 244-year-old French jewellery brand in a new era.