French fashion house Balmain has announced the appointment of French designer Antonin Tron as its new creative director, succeeding Olivier Rousteing who departed after 14 years at the helm.
The appointment came just one week after Rousteing announced his departure from Balmain on November 5, 2025, with the house confirming that Tron will begin his new role this month. Tron is set to present his debut collection for Balmain in March 2026 during Paris Fashion Week for the fall/winter 2026 season.
A Distinguished Professional Background
Born in Paris in 1984, Antonin Tron studied fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Tron studied alongside prominent designers who have become leading names in fashion today, including Demna, who currently serves as creative director at Gucci, and Glenn Martens, the current creative director at Maison Margiela.
After graduating in 2008, Tron returned to Paris and began his career in menswear design at Louis Vuitton. He later moved to work in the womenswear division at Givenchy, then at Balenciaga where he worked under three successive creative directors: Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang, and his former classmate Demna. Tron also worked with design teams at Saint Laurent before launching his own label.
A New Vision for a Storied House
Tron expressed his excitement about joining Balmain, stating that he feels “deeply honored to join Balmain,” adding that “the house embodies at its core exceptional craftsmanship, culture, aesthetic sensibility, and elegance—fashion that is radiant, precise, and bold”. He added that these values “resonate deeply” with him, expressing his gratitude for “the exceptional opportunity to continue this remarkable legacy”. Tron also thanked Olivier Rousteing for “building Balmain into the global brand it is today”.
Management’s Vision for the New Appointment
Rachid Mohamed Rachid, CEO of Mayhoola for Investments, which owns Balmain, and chairman of the house’s board, expressed his delight at Tron’s appointment, describing him as “an exciting talent for the house”. He added that Tron “will lead Balmain toward a compelling future that honors its storied heritage while shaping a future defined by creativity, modernity, and elegance”.
Meanwhile, Matteo Sgarbossa, CEO of Balmain, confirmed that “Antonin’s approach to design, rooted in the art of draping and the physical nature of fabric, represents a continuation of founder Pierre Balmain’s belief that dressmaking is the architecture of movement”. Sgarbossa added that Tron, “like Balmain, sees fashion as a spatial art built around the human form with precision and emotion”.
A Major Challenge After Rousteing
Tron assumes his position at Balmain following the departure of Olivier Rousteing, who spent 14 years leading the house’s creative direction. Rousteing took on the role in 2011 at just 25 years old, becoming the youngest non-founding creative director of a major fashion house since Yves Saint Laurent at Dior.
Rousteing transformed Balmain from a quiet traditional label into a global cultural phenomenon, utilizing social media and relationships with celebrities such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian. His designs became known for their sparkle, strong shoulders, and bold theatrical style.
Rousteing announced his departure on November 5, 2025, stating he was “extremely proud of all that has been accomplished,” adding that he would “keep this precious time close to his heart”. Balmain confirmed that the decision was mutual between both parties.
