Stunning Fashion Designs by Pierre Balmain in the 1950s

Born 1914 in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Savoie, French fashion designer Pierre Balmain was founder of leading post-war fashion house Balmain.

Fashion designs by Pierre Balmain in the 1950s

After visiting the studio of Edward Molyneux in 1934, Balmain was offered a job, leaving his studies and working for the designer for the succeeding five years. He joined Lucien Lelong during World War II – where he met the young designer Christian Dior.

Balmain was known for sophistication and elegance, he described the art of dressmaking as “the architecture of movement”. He died in 1982 at the age of 68 of liver cancer at the American Hospital of Paris, having just completed the sketches for his fall collection.

These stunning photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Pierre Balmain in the 1950s.

Gigi Terwalgne in evening gown of voluminous plaid taffeta skirt and green taffeta bustier that laces up the back by Pierre Balmain, photo by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, November 1, 1951

Marie-Thérèse in evening gown of pale blue embroidered chiffon by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Balmain mannequin Marie-Thérèse models his evening gown accented with leopard hat and muff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Dovima in redingote of Celanese acetate and silk by Pierre Balmain, Vogue, February 1, 1953

Lisa Fonssagrives in the "Poppy" gown by Pierre Balmain, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, May 1, 1953

Marie-Thérèse in Balmain's famous sheath of embroidered pailettes in leopard spot design, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Model in midnight blue chiffon dance dress strewn with sparkling sequins by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Ann Farrar in pale blue ottoman dress, the bodice has buttoned tabs as do the pockets, skirt is wide with inverted pleat, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Geneviève Richard in summer suit of lilac and purple linen, the curved jacket has a bib front by Pierre Balmain, straw purse by Violette Cornille, jewelry by Francis Winter, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Lucie Daouphars in lightweight glazed wool suit, the jacket has rounded shoulders and shawl collar, tied at the waist with cord of same material by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Marie-Thérèse in gold brocade coat of Persian design, high stand-up collar of mink that extends down the front, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Marie-Thérèse in silk floral print dress by Pierre Balmain, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Ghislaine Arsac in the perfect Holiday dress, black velvet embroidered with sprigs of green holly and red berries by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Model in short little dance dress of red satin with upturned circle neckline and belled skirt by Pierre Balmain, Vogue, October 1, 1955

Jacky Mazel in red Shetland wool suit, fitted jacket has small bow at the waist, worn with leopard fur muff and hat by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Marie-Thérèse in Balmain's elegantly tailored flannel suit named "Jolie Madame", photo by Tom Kublin, 1956

Balmain's dress and matching coat lined in fur, photo by Tom Kublin, 1957

Balmain's evening gown called "Erato", Winter 1957-58

Joanna McCormick in garnet red print chiffon sheath, bloused over a leather belt, air-vent in the back and fan pleat train, by Balmain, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, April 15, 1957

Marie-Thérèse in Balmain's plaid wool coat of assembled panels, photo by Tom Kublin, 1957

Marina Nicolaidès in crêpe sheath dress and short jacket in blue and green rose print by Pierre Balmain, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Model in coral speckled tweed two-piece, very short jacket with criss-cross neckline and short sleeves, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in exquisite satin evening gown in sapphire blue and garnet red, sash and stole are in gray satin, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in lilac wool suit, the collar and lapels are widened and the jacket tilts slightly to the back, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in pink crepe de chine floral party dress by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in roomy blue coat whose effect of short cape at the back is given by the cut and sleeve setting, collarless and one large button-closure, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Balmain's town dress and coat modeled here by Barbara Cailleux , 1958

Barbara Cailleux in printed silk dress, longwaisted with short bolero top, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Georges Saad, 1958

Bronwen Pugh (Lady Astor) in silk floral print ensemble by Pierre Balmain, painting "Les Fluers" by François Philippe, photo by Georges Saad, 1958

Bronwen Pugh (Lady Astor) in wool wrap coat with red fox collar and cuffs by Pierre Balmain, photo by Georges Saad, 1958

Gunila in lovely pale lilac velvet dress, strapless bodice is wrapped in pale green faille ribbon with a corsage of violets, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Model is wearing Balmain's print ensemble from Spring/Summer collection of 1958, photo by Tom Kublin

Simone d'Aillencourt in gala evening gown of silk faille skirt with embroidered satin top, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Simone d'Aillencourt in striking red and black wool suit by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Balmain's evening gown called "Nuit à Trianon", photo by Tom Kublin, Spring 1959

Dorothy is wearing Balmain's short fur jacket, photo by Tom Kublin, 1959

Model in Balmain's fur jacket, photo by Tom Kublin, Paris, 1959

Model in in long velvet skirt reminiscent of the Renaissance, the bodice is richly embroidered chiffon, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Guy Arsac, 1959

Model is wearing a town suit called "Lexique" from Balmain's Spring collection of 1959

Sondra Peterson in pale lilac, silk mousseline dress, belted and pleated by Pierre Balmain, photo by Pottier at the home of M. and Mme, Fernand Aubrey, 1959