The Parisian powerhouse was founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945, where he dressed such style icons as Ava Gardner and Brigitte Bardot. After the label's namesake, designers including Oscar de la Renta have taken the helm at the house and since 2009 Olivier Rousteing has reignited the historic house injecting a heady mix of sex and glamour into it's silhouettes. Show stopping and distinctive, expect jewelled body con pieces for women as well as signature biker jackets and jeans that have gained a cult following amongst editors and customers alike. Adding a rock and roll feel to menswear the house also creates sharply tailored elegant jackets that can be worn day or night for a hit of instant glamour.