In his most recent collection for the French fashion house, Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing looks to heritage and home for inspiration

Lush greenery, rich wines, and countless historical landmarks. These are only a few things that make Bordeaux, France such a charming setting. It’s a city glistening with life and personality–where millions of tourists flock to as a means to escape. However, for Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing, he simply calls this place home; and now, one of his sources of inspiration for Balmain’s Fall/Winter 2024 ready-to-wear collection.

During the infancy of the collection’s conceptualization process, Rousteing notes that he and his team prepared by sieving through Balmain’s extensive archives. After highlighting Pierre Balmain’s beloved rose for their Spring /Summer 2024 collection, the French designer wanted to maintain the fashion house’s focus on their founder’s love for botanicals but decided to veer more towards the various fruits that would grow in his garden for a warmer touch.

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Model holding bag — Photo courtesy of Balmain

However, as they progressed further, Rousteing found himself incorporating elements of his own. “For example, instead of Monsieur Balmain’s more familiar apple, nut, and strawberry embellishments, I went all out with prints, embroideries and 3D representations of bunches of grapes—the symbol of the most famous product of my hometown, Bordeaux.” he notes. After several collections that celebrated his present home, Paris, Rousteing felt it was only fitting to shine a light on the city that formed him both as an individual, and designer.

In a press release, Rousteing shared: “Admittedly, I may be just the tiniest bit biased, but I do believe that my childhood home is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The two adjectives that we Frenchies tend to pair with Bordeaux are “classical” and “elegant”—for the provincial capital definitely sets itself apart with a singular refinement. So, this season combines the bold architectural lines and precise tailoring of Pierre Balmain’s ‘New French Style’ with the graceful dignity of Bordeaux— resulting in a collection that I believe reflects the timeless style of savvy French women of all ages.”

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Model on runway in floral inspired dress — Photo courtesy of Balmain

model in all black — Photo courtesy of Balmain

model in black and white coat — Photo courtesy of Balmain

If there’s one other thing to know about Bordeaux, it would probably be the fact that it rains a whole lot, which explains Rousteing’s decision to incorporate the classic trench silhouette into the collection with his creative touch. “My team and I played with the many possibilities of the classic piece, updating the familiar lines of some of Pierre Balmain’s most notable trenches and extending that recognizable style into a range of skirts, dresses, pants and short jackets. And, since I usually associate the trench with the outdoor market scenes that I witnessed daily as a kid, I’ve accessorized my designs with an array of new spins on traditional French shopping bags, converting routine string, panier and wicker market styles into some surprising and unexpected luxury offerings.”

model carries Balmain bag — Photo courtesy of Balmain

A celebration of heritage, home, and classic Parisian couture, Rousteing’s latest collection for Balmain is a testament to the continuously vibrant energy he brings to the house. Marrying classic, traditional techniques with the modern woman’s savoir-faire, Balmain’s latest collection highlights the beauty of finding harmony in the old and new.

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Balmain is available in the Philippines online and in-store, with locations in Okada Manila & The Shoppes at Solaire.