Yesterday, Balmain, the renowned French luxury fashion house, has announced that it made entry into the beauty industry with the launch of its first beauty products. Under the creative direction of Olivier Rousteing, who has led the brand since 2011, Balmain introduces Les Éternels de Balmain, a collection of eight gender-neutral fragrances. This new venture is in collaboration with Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), marking a significant expansion for Balmain into the luxury beauty market.
Balmain’s venture into the beauty business actually has a long history. In 1947, the brand launched the fragrance Vent Vert, which was hailed as one of the most successful perfume creations of the 1940s and 1950s.
Since 2017, however, Balmain’s beauty business has been essentially dormant. This presents a fresh start for both Balmain and Lauder, as the two companies announced the Balmain beauty licensing agreement on September 26, 2022.
The eight perfumes are categorized into four scent families—musk, amber, floral, and wood—each offering a unique olfactory experience. Notable scents include Vent Vert, a floral green fragrance with notes of vert de mandarine and jasmine, and Bronze, which highlights cedarwood paired with patchouli. Priced at $300 each, these perfumes are available through balmainbeauty.com.
Guillaume Jesel, President of Global Brands at ELC, described Balmain Beauty as an avant-garde addition to luxury beauty, celebrating the legacy and inclusive spirit of the Balmain house. The collection aims to transform the luxury and couture beauty landscape, much like ELC’s previous collaborations with brands such as Tom Ford.
Since its founding in 1945 by Pierre Balmain, the brand has expanded globally, with stores in key cities like New York, London, Los Angeles, and Milan.
