PARIS (AP) 鈥� Balmain on Wednesday named French designer Antonin Tron its new creative director, tapping the Atlein founder known for structured minimalism and sculptural drape 鈥檚 high-octane, celebrity-driven era.
The move signals a shift from sequined spectacle to construction-led refinement that echoes founder Pierre Balmain鈥檚 鈥渁rchitecture of movement.鈥� Tron, 41, starts in November and will unveil his first collection at in March for fall-winter 2026, the house said.
鈥淚 am deeply honored to be joining Balmain,鈥� Tron said. 鈥淎t its heart, the House embodies savoir-faire, culture, sensuality and elegance 鈥� fashion that is radiant, precise and bold.鈥� He thanked Rousteing 鈥渇or building Balmain into the global brand it is today.鈥�
Founded in 1945, Balmain helped shape postwar French couture with the so-called New French Style 鈥� sculpted lines, rich embroidery and Parisian polish. Today it is one of France鈥檚 storied maisons, spanning women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 ready-to-wear, accessories, beauty and eyewear.
Rousteing, who stepped down last week after 14 years, recast Balmain as a pop-culture force with broad-shouldered glamour, sequined tailoring and the celebrity 鈥淏almain Army,鈥� expanding the brand鈥檚 global profile and social media reach.
Rachid Mohamed Rachid, who chairs Balmain, said Tron鈥檚 craft-driven approach makes him 鈥渁n exciting talent鈥� and that he鈥檒l work with CEO Matteo Sgarbossa to steer the house鈥檚 next phase 鈥渄efined by creativity, modernity and elegance.鈥�
Tron鈥檚 method is rooted in drape and fabric 鈥減hysicality,鈥� echoing founder Pierre Balmain鈥檚 belief that 鈥渄ressmaking is the architecture of movement,鈥� Sgarbossa added.
Born in Paris in 1984 and trained at Antwerp鈥檚 Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Tron worked on design teams at Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent before launching Atlein in 2016. His label became known for body-con silhouettes, precision draping and fluid jersey techniques, with made-in-France production and a focus on movement.
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