Olivier Rousteing takes over Balmain

PARIS — Olivier Rousteing, a key deputy of Christophe Decarnin at Balmain, has been appointed designer of its women’s and men’s ready-to-wear collections.

It's official Olivier who was Christophe Decarnin’s key deputy has stepped into his predecessor's shoes.
And while the young designer may look like a male supermodel, he has creative credentials in spades and worked at Roberto Cavalli for six years before joining Balmain in 2009 and the latter's CEO Alain Hivelin is convinced of Olivier's "talent and ability ... and his great understanding and appreciation of the unique DNA of the brand."
Olivier responded: "I plan to honour that confidence by ensuring that Pierre Balmain always remains one of the leading brands that others look to as a reference." And if he's half way as good as he looks we reckon he'll do a damn fine job...

 Balmain S/S '11

Kanye West at the All Star Half Time Performance wearing Balmain