Olivier Rousteing has stepped down as creative director of Balmain.
Olivier Rousteing, 40, is stepping down as creative director of Balmain after 14 years. The fashion house announced the news today on its social media.
"I am proud of everything I have created and am eternally grateful to my incredible team at Balmain—my second family, with whom I have shared this home for the past 14 years. Thank you to Rachid Mohamed Rachid and Matteo Sgarbossa for believing in me and for the opportunity to realize myself in this unique project. As I embark on this new phase of my creative journey, I will hold this precious time in my heart," Rousteing said in a statement.
The designer also published a farewell post on Instagram*, addressing his fans. "Today marks the end of my era at Balmain. Sixteen years ago, I began this adventure without knowing where it would lead. What an incredible story it has been. But, like every story, it has an ending. I leave Balmain with my eyes wide open—towards new, wonderful adventures in which you will all be a part. A new era, a new beginning, a new story. Thank you!" he wrote.
Balmain CEO Matteo Sgarbossa thanked Olivier: "I am grateful to Olivier for writing a crucial chapter in the history of the House of Balmain. His passion and energy have left an indelible mark on the world of fashion." Rousteing's successor has not yet been announced.
Olivier Rousteing started at Balmain as an assistant, and in 2011, at the age of 25, he took over the fashion house, becoming the youngest creative director since Yves Saint Laurent and the first Black designer at the helm of a French brand. Under his leadership, Balmain grew from an annual revenue of €30 million to approximately €300 million. He also formed the Balmain Army—a community of models, celebrities, and fans of the brand, bringing the house's fashion closer to a wider audience. Rousteing revived the legacy of Pierre Balmain, revived the couture line, and launched beauty and fragrance lines in collaboration with Estée Lauder. His last show was the Spring/Summer 2026 collection, which took place on October 1 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Paris.
Photo: olivier_rousteing/Instagram**
