Olivier Rousteing’s Heartfelt Homage to Bordeaux 

Olivier Rousteing, after 13 years at Balmain, dedicated an entire collection to his beloved childhood home of Bordeaux. This collection was a tribute not only to the city but also to Lydia Rousteing, his mother, who, alongside her husband Bruno-Jean, raised him there. 

The collection reflected Bordeaux’s rich heritage, symbolized by its famous Cru Bourgeois wines, with grape motifs woven throughout. These details appeared as metal bunch bags, inlaid shapes on leather dresses, and glass-beaded bodices, celebrating the region’s Dionysian spirit. Another nod to local cuisine, the snail shell of Escargots à la Bordelaise, was transformed into golden breastplates, bodices, and accessories.

Rousteing reinvented the classic trench coat, imbuing it with Balmain’s signature dramatic shoulders, hooded crop tops, and even deconstructed leather versions. Gingham patterns echoed his cherished memories of childhood picnics, while age-diverse models emphasized Rousteing’s commitment to celebrating beauty in all its forms.