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Balmain: Who is Antonin Tron, the new creative director of the house?
After Olivier Rousteing’s departure from Balmain after fourteen years of collaboration, the house has just revealed its new artistic director: Antonin Tron. Here’s everything you need to know about the 41-year-old fashion designer.
Antonin Tron, Balmain’s new artistic director
Just a week after Olivier Rousteing’s unexpected departure, bringing a fourteen-year collaboration to a close, the news is out. Antonin Tron, 41, has been appointed as creative director at Balmain. The French designer, who founded the label Atlein in 2016, has built up solid experience. Numéro takes a closer look.
A Parisian designer trained in Antwerp
Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Antonin Tron quickly established himself as one of the most promising talents of his generation. Before launching his own brand, Atlein, in 2016, he honed his eye and refined his approach to fashion in some of the most respected studios, including Raf Simons, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, and Balenciaga.
Winner of the ANDAM First Collection Prize in 2016, finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2017, and recipient of the ANDAM Grand Prize in 2018, he quickly carved a place for himself on the Parisian scene. His collections, centred on the body and movement, captivated audiences. His approach to jersey – fluid, draped, sculptural – became his signature. His vision of elegance is always rooted in freedom of movement.
A conscious, committed approach to fashion
Behind the apparent softness of his draping lies Antonin Tron’s unshakable discipline and conviction. Since the creation of Atlein, he has championed an ethical approach to fashion, far from the noise and excesses of the industry. In an interview with Numéro, he shared: “I want our quality to come close to that of luxury, even if we can’t compete with couture houses. During lockdown, I was able to work the way I like to, focusing on cut and architecture of a garment. That’s the heart of my practice.”
Not a flashy kind of luxury, but a quiet, well thought-out one. For the designer, everything begins with the fabric. Jersey – often recycled or responsibly sourced – becomes a playground for experimentation. Antonin Tron is also partnering with start-ups specializing in lifecycle analysis to assess and reduce the environmental impact of each collection. He advocates for local production, a measured pace, and a small-scale, almost artisanal fashion house. “I want every piece to have meaning, to be the result of a dialogue between hands, bodies, and the planet,” he explained.
But Antonin Tron’s commitment goes beyond environmental concerns. The discreet activist has joined movements, like Extinction Rebellion, and calls for a convergence of social, environmental and queer struggles.
A new era at Balmain
His appointment at the helm of Balmain marks the beginning of a bold, promising new chapter. As the heir of a flamboyant legacy, Antonin Tron brings with him a radically different sensibility. Here, Antwerp minimalism meets Parisian glamour. This culture clash may well redefine the house’s identity.
“I am deeply honoured to be joining Balmain, and grateful to Mr. Rachid and Matteo for entrusting me with this extraordinary House. I wish to express my gratitude to Olivier Rousteing for building Balmain into the global brand it is today. 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,” the designer shared in a press release.
What lies ahead for him now? To reconcile the virtuosity of draping and the precision of tailoring with the ornamental power that built Balmain’s reputation. Under his direction, we may expect more introspective collections, where sensuality is more implicit. Just like his recent Atlein x Khy collaboration with it-girl Kylie Jenner.
