The year 2025 has proven somewhat monumental for the fashion world. The world’s biggest fashion houses have undergone a major shift in their creative directors, from Demna, now installed at Gucci, to Matthieu Blazy, currently settling in nicely at Chanel. The latest shift is Olivier Rousteing exiting Balmain as creative director. After 14 years, the Bordeaux-born French fashion designer and the fabled French fashion house have mutually agreed to part ways. Rousteing was appointed the creative force behind Balmain in 2011, at just 24 years old. As a result, the ESMOD School of Fashion graduate became the first Black creative director ever appointed to lead a French maison.
Revisit the Balmain Spring 2026 Collection:
Read below the reactions of theFashionSpot’s forum members:
“I am in complete shock with this news. Sincerely thought this could a Lagerfeld x Chanel situation, because for me, Balmain is him.” [AFWQ]
“The house and Olivier lost their way, their sparkle vanished and it was time for this departure a few years back. I am not sure he fits anywhere else as he has had a singular vision at Balmain from the start.” [jeremydante]
“I mean the writings were on the wall. He can be proud of himself.” [Lola701]
“He can be proud of what he accomplished at Balmain. There’s something very endearing about his conviction, even with all the missteps and questionable taste, he was never arrogant. Still, it was time for him to go. Let’s just hope the house doesn’t get cheapened in the process.” [reese06]
“The most overdue departure ever, God knows why they kept him so long.” [velvetdreamz]
“Hope he stays away from every interesting maison, Olivier has the worst taste ever.” [carla56]
Share your own thoughts on Olivier Rousteing’s exit as Balmain creative director and click here to join the conversation.
