THE MARINIERE
THE HOUSE SIGNATURES
Each season, Olivier Rousteing gives a new, surprising luxury spin on an age-old style from France’s Atlantic coast.
A HOUSE TRADITION
Pierre Balmain’s first collection, in October 1945, contained more than a few bold touches that clearly surprised the fashion press, including the designer’s couture take on the rugged vareuse—a classic pull-over, worn by Brittany fishermen. Following that strong start, Balmain continued to play with including traditional fisherman knits in his different couture collections—for example, this design from 1953 riffs on the multi-striped marinière sweater that French sailors and fisherman have been wearing for centuries.
ROUSTEING’S TWISTS ON THE MARINIERE
Olivier Rousteing loves playing with the possibilities of the marinière. Its classic stripes are given a new modern luxury twist on the Balmain runways, as Rousteing constantly experiments with new takes on the familiar sweater.
1 / 5
MARINIERE ON BOARD
The marinière was a key element for many of the looks on the Air Balmain runway in March 2021.
BALMAIN SPRING 2021
The marinière was shown in several distinct moods during the house’s show at Paris’ Jardin Des Plantes.
1 / 4
MILITARY
INFLUENCES
THE HOUSE SIGNATURES