Antonin Tron has been appointed as Balmain’s new Creative Director, starting this month after Olivier Rousteing’s departure. Rousteing led the French fashion house for 14 remarkable years, during which its revenue increased tenfold. Tron, 41, is the founder and designer of the Parisian label Atlein, established ten years ago and celebrated for its expert draping and jersey work—Vogue’s Hamish Bowles once compared it to Alaïa’s craftsmanship in a September 2016 profile. The brand is also known for its nuanced and respectful interpretation of femininity, influenced by feminist, gender, and environmental thinkers, writers, and artists. Tron will present his first Balmain collection for Fall 2026 in March of next year.

“Balmain has a truly inspiring history,” Tron shared. “At its core, the house represents savoir-faire, culture, sensuality, and elegance—fashion that is radiant, precise, and bold. This deeply resonates with me, and I feel honored to have the chance to build on this incredible legacy.” Balmain CEO Matteo Sgarbossa added, “We are delighted to welcome Antonin to Balmain. His design philosophy, centered on the art of draping and the tactile quality of fabric, aligns with Pierre Balmain’s core belief that ‘dressmaking is the architecture of movement.'” Rachid Mohamed Rachid, CEO of Mayhoola and Chairman of Balmain (which is owned by Mayhoola), also commented, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Antonin Tron to the group and to Balmain. His thoughtful, craft-driven approach and artistic sensibility make him an exciting addition to the house.”

I first met Antonin Tron back in February 2016, introduced by English writer Kerry Olsen, a friend of Tron’s Italian partner, Gabriele Forte. When she mentioned a promising new designer launching his own brand, I visited his apartment in the 11th arrondissement. I remember being struck by his collection of Vallauris pottery (a shared interest of mine) and a rack of beautifully crafted jersey garments. His early designs were fluid and graceful, yet precise and structured—a reflection of Tron himself, who combines a sharp, inquisitive mind with deep empathy.

During that initial meeting, I learned he had studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and was working at Balenciaga at the time, having started under Nicolas Ghesquière and later working with Alexander Wang and Demna, the latter becoming a mentor. Before that, he gained experience at Givenchy with stylist Olivier Rizzo, Raf Simons, and Paul Helbers at Louis Vuitton, and more recently at Saint Laurent. I promptly told my colleagues at American Vogue about him and his work, and they, too, visited him. I also introduced him to the Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus teams during our regular biannual Vogue breakfast at the Ritz, leading Bergdorf’s to stock Atlein.

Six months later, after Tron won an ANDAM Prize for his debut Atlein collection, Hamish Bowles published his profile. In it, Tron was asked about being part of a new wave in Paris fashion, alongside designers like Julien Dossena at Paco Rabanne and Christelle Kocher of Koché. “It’s a very exciting moment,” Tron said, “because many things can be redefined—old rules no longer apply, and there’s ample space for diverse forms of expression.”Makeup by Khela. Fashion Editor: Alex Harrington.
Photographed by Mohamed Bourouissa, Vogue, November 2019.

Since then, Tron has stayed true to his word. His label Atlein (which he’s currently pausing) showcases his technical skill—he drapes every piece on a mannequin, bringing designs to life in three dimensions. His thorough research and thoughtful, sensitive approach have explored themes like the ’90s, social activism, futuristic eco-friendly fabrics, radical art, and the mental and emotional solace found in surfing (he’s a passionate surfer, whether in California or on his beloved Île de Ré in France). Throughout it all, he has celebrated women and embraced the responsibility of designing for them.

This brings us to Balmain. In his statement, Tron rightly honors the incredible legacy that Olivier Rousteing built through his remarkable transformation of the house. “I wish to express my gratitude to Olivier Rousteing,” Tron says, “for making Balmain the global brand it is today.”

As for Tron’s vision for Balmain, what can we anticipate? Access to the brand’s studio and skilled artisans will be a dream for Tron, who has courageously produced his own collections for years without such resources. He will continue to focus on designing for women, now from a historic fashion house, but with a contemporary perspective. He understands that clothing must resonate with who these women are, what they desire, and how they express their femininity, bodies, gender, and sexuality—in ways that are authentic and free from stereotypes. And I’m certain there will be surprises. When I spoke with Tron backstage, I left not only with memorable quotes but also with new and unexpected reading recommendations to explore.

Tron is a thinker, a feeler, and a doer—and now, with Balmain, his platform has just expanded dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Antonin Trons new role at Balmain designed to be clear concise and natural

Meet Antonin Tron The New Creative Force at Balmain

Beginner General Questions

1 Who is Antonin Tron
Antonin Tron is the newly appointed Creative Director of the French luxury fashion house Balmain

2 What is his official title
His official title is Creative Director of Balmain

3 Who did he replace at Balmain
He replaced Olivier Rousteing who was the Creative Director for 14 years

4 What was Antonin Tron known for before Balmain
He was the Design Director at the influential brand Courrges where he was praised for his modern architectural and techinfused designs

5 Why is his appointment such a big deal
Its a major event because he is taking the helm of a globally recognized luxury brand with a rich history and his vision will define Balmains future direction

Advanced IndustryFocused Questions

6 What is Antonin Trons design aesthetic
His aesthetic is often described as modern sharp and architectural He incorporates futuristic elements technical fabrics and a focus on clean sculptural silhouettes

7 How might he change Balmains style
While Balmain under Rousteing was known for glamour opulence and Balmain Army powerdressing Tron may steer the brand towards a more minimalist futuristic and perhaps more androgynous look

8 What are the biggest challenges he will face
Key challenges include honoring Balmains iconic heritage while making it his own maintaining the brands commercial success and winning over the loyal customers of the previous era

9 When will we see his first collection for Balmain
His debut collection for Balmain is scheduled to be presented during the SpringSummer 2025 Paris Fashion Week

10 What does this mean for the future of luxury fashion
Trons appointment signals a shift towards a new generation of designers emphasizing a blend of hightech innovation with classic French couture craftsmanship potentially setting a new trend for other heritage houses

Practical Fan Questions