The progression of Balmain designer eyewear could not have gotten to where it is today without the past that laid the foundation for the present.

Founded by Pierre Balmain, a former architecture student, Balmain first opened its stores in Paris in 1945. Born into a French, fashion-focused family in 1914, Pierre’s mother and sister worked in a clothing boutique, and his father owned a drapery business. This early exposure allowed him to hone his trend recognition and creation skills, the same skills that helped Balmain become the go-to for top celebrities on the planet today. Success and influence didn’t come overnight for him though, as he gained over a decade’s worth of experience while working at several fashion houses prior to opening his own shop.

Aside from cultivating market trends, Balmain helped cultivate some of the best talents in the industry such as Oscar De La Renta, who led the company from the early 90s into the early 2000s. Balmain has maintained a rich tradition of only using the finest materials and working with the best available designers, a tradition that the brand has carried into each new generation, including the team in charge of the fashion house today.

Led since 2011 by 36-year-old creative director, Olivier Rousteing, the brand has continued to play a major role in moving the industry forward, whether through their hugely popular gowns, collaborations with the biggest stars, or their game-changing entries into the accessories markets. Shop your next pair of beautiful Balmain designer eyewear at one of our boutiques or online at DesignerEyes.com.

With forms as beautiful as those found in the women's eyewear line, it's no wonder the brand's sunglasses as highly-coveted as they are.