CNN
—
According to the company’s artistic director Olivier Rousteing, dozens of clothes from the upcoming collection of French label Balmain were stolen when the truck was “hijacked by a group of people”.
The alleged robbery happened early on Saturday, less than two weeks before the brand was due to unveil its new designs at the spring-summer 2024 edition of Paris Fashion Week.
IN declaration Rousteing wrote on Instagram that “more than 50” of the new label items were stolen — as was the truck carrying them. He said the incident occurred when the garments were being delivered from the airport to the company’s headquarters in central Paris, but did not specify which airport.
The French designer, who has run Balmain since 2011, was informed of the theft by the driver of the truck, whom he described as “safe”.
“This is so unfair,” Rousteing’s statement continued, adding that Balmain and its suppliers would work “day and night” to remake the missing garments.
“We’re redoing everything but it’s so disrespectful,” he wrote in the accompanying caption, adding: “I love you my Balmain team and we won’t give up.”
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Getty Images
Fashion designer Olivier Rousteing walks the runway during the final edition of Paris Fashion Week in March 2023.
Balmain is among more than 100 brands – including French fashion powerhouses such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Saint Laurent and Dior – set to showcase their latest creations during the nine-day Paris Fashion Week programme.
A spokesman for the label confirmed to Reuters that Balmain’s show would go on as planned on September 27, but declined to comment on the robbery pending an investigation. The company did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
Responses to Rousteing’s post included messages of support from several fashion industry figures, including Versace’s creative director, Donatella Versace, who wrote: “Sending you all my love. I know you and your creativity can overcome this!”
Rousteing has not revealed any further details about his upcoming collection, although he has reinterpreted motifs from Balmain’s storied past in recent runway outings. In May, he looked to founder Pierre Balmain’s designs from the ’60s and ’70s, as well as classic designs from the brand’s archives, for the brand’s pre-fall line.
The company was founded in 1945. Balmain now controls the Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, which also owns a 70% stake in the Italian label Valentino.
