Balmain has opened the gilt-edged doors of its first Hong Kong store. The Paris-based luxury label had been available at Joyce, Swank and Lane Crawford, but the couture house's store can now be found in Harbour City.
French designer Pierre Balmain founded the fashion house in 1945, capturing the spirit of the City of Light and its deeply fashionable denizens. Balmain's name is often mentioned alongside co-couturiers Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga, a holy trinity of design giants who brought lavish dressing back into vogue. Many notable names have held the Balmain design reins (Oscar de la Renta and Laurent Mercier, among others) and last year saw them passed to 25-year-old Olivier Rousteing (below), formerly of Roberto Cavalli.
The sartorial selection at the store is as breathtaking as the prices. We like the T-shirt emblazoned with an eagle design motif and leather jacket with metallic stud detailing. A beautifully crafted black, mini cocktail dress is particularly eye-catching, as are the slick pencil trousers. There's also a heady selection of accessories available, including a clutch and black leather bag (below right; HK$18,500).
Not for the faint of heart ... or purse.
Balmain is in Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 3102 9184.
