Balmain is returning to Paris Couture Week for the first time in 16 years

For the first time in 16 years, Balmain will again participate in Paris Couture Week in January.

Creative director, Olivier Rousteing, announced the news yesterday at WWD's Retail and & Apparel CEO Summit saying that he 'wants to bring back the Parisian DNA. He also said that accessories, fragrance, and cosmetics are in the pipeline and he himself will take the lead in this collection. Rousteing emphasized the importance of timelessness, quality and knowing one's customers through and through.

Since the departure of former head designer, Oscar de la Renta in 2002 Balmain no longer showed couture. With 80 percent of the brand's sales come from ready-to-wear, a couture offering has great potential and is likely to be a success. Rousteing sounded confident in his mission and there can be no doubt about it given his 'Balmain Army', which includes Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, and Beyonce.

Paris Couture Week in January will feature several big players such as Valentino and Iris van Herpen who will show their couture creations for the new season.

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