Olivier Rousteing adds a new Chief to his Balmain army as signal of the Parisian label’s shift towards a bigger global outlook. Balmain names Massimo Piombini the Chief Executive Officer, leaving his position as Worldwide Commercial Director of Valentino, which like Balmain is also owned by the Qatari investment firm Mayhoola.
The company has not intimated the press about whom Piombini will be reporting to and it is quite possible that the information will remain private, as is the case for Valentino.
Also Read – Mayhoola buys French fashion house Balmain
“It is obvious that, with the arrival of Massimo, the house has all the necessary ingredients to face the many new adventures and challenges that await us. I look forward to working alongside him. Today, of course, the entire team at Balmain would also like to acknowledge how much we owe to our departing CEO, Emmanuel Diemoz,” says Creative Director of Balmain, Olivier Rousteing who is credited with creating an extremely social media savvy and unique identity for the house.
However, he is looking at a more inclusive offering that is still luxurious but has bit more fragility and romance in the design aesthetics. Massimo Piombini also shares his vision and wants to focus on Balmain expansion into the footwear and accessories segments. He also appreciated the work preceding him in a comment, “Olivier has instilled a remarkable passion inside the house, overseeing the creation of a singular, recognizable spirit and silhouette, while always remaining focused on the mission of responding to the needs and desires of a new and diverse generation.”
Balmain is one of the more profitable brands on the current scene with an obsessive fan base stretching from celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez to a super sensual, haut-glam loving customer base. The brand is moving its headquarters from the historic address where Pierre Balmain founded the founded in 1945 but will keep the 44 Rue François 1er boutique, and the HQ will now move to central Paris with an all-new showroom.
