Pierre Balmain is a French fashion designer known for his elegant and opulent designs. Born in 1914 to a family in the fashion and design industry (his father operated a drapery business and his mother and sister ran a fashion boutique), young Pierre abandoned his architecture studies and opted to pursue a career in fashion. He worked for Molyneux in the 1930s, and joined famed fashion house Lucien Lelong in the 1940s. By the end of World War II, Balmain was ready to open his own fashion house.

Equally at home with tasteful suits or opulent evening gowns, Balmain designed for the new post-war woman, showcasing bell skirts and nipped waists. His clothing was popular with celebrities and wealthy clients of the era, and Balmain expanded his collection to include Ready-to-Wear in American boutiques. He is also noted for his costume designs for stage and screen, for which he was nominated for a Tony award and won the Drama Desk award.

Perfumes have been offered by Balmain since the 1940s, with the introduction of Elysées 64-83 (his phone number) in 1945. 1947's legendary scent Vent Vert, still in production today, was one of the best-sellers of the 1940s and 1950s. Balmain's Jolie Madame was iconic in its representation of the new post-war 1950s woman. Revlon purchased the Balmain fragrance license in 1960, and Balmain fragrances are produced today in conjunction with Empire of Scents. The license for fragrances will transfer to Inter Parfums Inc. in 2012.

Pierre Balmain passed away in 1982. Longtime Balmain designer Erik Mortensen led the house until 1993, when Oscar de la Renta served as Creative Director. Olivier Rousteing was named Creative Director in 2011. Balmain fashions, both vintage and new, remain a popular choice with celebrities today.

Designer Pierre Balmain has 17 perfumes in our fragrance base. Pierre Balmain is an old perfume house. The earliest edition was created in 1947 and the newest is from 2013. Pierre Balmain fragrances were made in collaboration with perfumers Guillaume Flavigny, Antoine Maisondieu, Alexandra Jouet, Jean Jacques, Marie-Aude Couture-Bluche, Daniel Hoffmann, Michel Almairac, Jacques Flori, Pierre Balmain, Germaine Cellier and Calice Becker.