Pierre Balmain Walnut and Brass Commode, Paris, France, circa 1980

PIERRE BALMAIN (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, 1914 - Paris, 1982)

A walnut commode designed by Pierre Balmain, Paris, circa 1980. Of very high quality, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this four-drawer commode features a beautiful walnut veneer, showcasing the natural warmth and elegance of the wood. Its versatile design fits seamlessly into any interior style, while its clean lines and minimalist silhouette exude contemporary sophistication. This commode bears the original mark and signature of Pierre Balmain, serving as a testament to its authenticity and prestigious lineage. The meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of its design, from the precise joinery to the elegant brass accents that embellish the piece.
By Pierre Balmain, Paris, France, circa 1980
Size: 31" high x 38 1/4" wide x 18" deep

PIERRE BALMAIN (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, 1914 - Paris, 1982)
Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer's postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.

From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.

The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Balmain's founder was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.

Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.