Antonin Tron, founder of the Parisian label Atlein, has been appointed as the new creative director of Balmain, starting this month. He succeeds Olivier Rousteing, who led the brand for 14 years and expanded its revenue tenfold.
Tron, 41, is celebrated for Atlein’s artisanal draping and innovative jersey manipulation, praised by Hamish Bowles in Vogue as being “as good as Alaïa’s.” His designs reflect a thoughtful celebration of femininity, influenced by feminist, gender, and environmental thinkers.
Antonin Tron will unveil his first Balmain collection for autumn/winter 2026 in March next year.
“Balmain has a truly inspiring history. At its heart, the house embodies savoir-faire, culture, sensuality and elegance – fashion that is radiant, precise and bold. This resonates deeply with me, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to build on this incredible legacy.”
Matteo Sgarbossa, Balmain’s CEO, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Antonin to the house of Balmain. Antonin’s approach to design, rooted in the art of draping and the physicality of fabric, marks a continuation of Pierre Balmain’s foundational belief that ‘dressmaking is the architecture of movement.’”
Antonin Tron’s leadership signals a continuation of Balmain’s heritage, blending craftsmanship with modern sensibilities.