Balmain Designer Olivier Rousteing Opens Up About Robbery
With Paris Fashion Week starting in a week, many French fashion houses have been preparing for their upcoming showcases. This would include confirming fittings, finalizing alterations, and transporting finished looks. However, one brand wasn’t so lucky. When Balmain’s looks were moving from an unspecified Paris airport to Balmain’s headquarters, thieves intercepted the vehicle and hijacked it. The truck driver was reported safe, according to creative director and designer Olivier Rousteing’s Instagram posts.
“More than 50 Balmain pieces were stolen. He [the driver] was driving from the airport to the Balmain headquarters. This is so unfair. My team and I worked so hard. We will work more days and nights…I wanted to share this with you to remind you, don’t take anything for guaranteed and please be safe. This is the world we are living in,” Rousteing said in a feed post, a screenshot from his story. He posted the initial story late Saturday night.
Other head designers commented on the post, showing their support. Donatella Versace of Versace and Simone Porte Jacquemus of Jacquemus were some of the few. Victoria’s Secret models Elsa Hosk and Romee Strijd also showed their sympathy.
The show will go on, as the September 27th show will go on as planned near the Eiffel Tower. In the post’s caption, Rousteing said “We are redoing everything but this is so so disrespectful.” From the day of the post, they have 10 days to recreate the 50 looks that have been compromised from the robbery.
A spokesperson for the brand declined to comment about if an investigation for the robbery will be opened. According to France’s interior ministry, vehicle thefts in the country spiked last year, with about 134,000 robberies. Specifically in Paris, they were up 3.5%.
Rousteing has been Balmain’s creative director since 2011, making this his 12th year there. His designs and visions have brought him success, gaining the support of the KarJenners and other celebrities who we expect to see at this awaited show. “Love you, my Balmain team and we won’t give up.”
Featured Photo by Filippo Fior for Gorunway.com/Vogue Runway