Balmain collection robbed ahead of Paris fashion show

Thieves have made off with more than 50 items
from the French luxury fashion brand Balmain’s new collection just 10 days
before its Paris Fashion Week show, the company’s creative director, Olivier
Rousteing, said on his Instagram account.

“Our driver called us to say that he had been attacked by a group of
people. More than 50 items were stolen,” said the 38-year-old designer in a
post late Saturday.

The driver, who was “safe and sound”, was transporting the merchandise in a
truck that was headed from the airport to the Balmain headquarters when the
theft occurred, he said, adding he was at the Balmain site Saturday morning
when the driver called.

“My team and I have worked very hard. We will work even harder, day and
night, just like our suppliers, but this is so disrespectful. I wanted to
share this with you as a reminder to never take anything for granted,”
Rousteing said, who has been the creative director of Balmain since 2011.

Mixing hip-hop and embracing diversity, Rousteing has shaken up the
industry, “democratising” the world of luxury fashion and making it more
relatable to young people.

He is known for pushing the brand into new territory, working with
celebrities like Kim Kardashian, and frequenting red carpets including the
Cannes Film Festival.

The show by Balmain, bought in 2016 by Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, is
scheduled for the women’s ready-to-wear fashion week in the French capital on
September 27.(AFP)