INTERVIEW – An innovative and sensitive perfectionist, Balmain’s artistic director launches eight unisex fragrances, some of which are inspired by the fashion house’s archives.
He adds a new string to his bow and becomes the nose for the perfume collection of the house of Balmain. Olivier Rousteing launches Les étés, eight unisex fragrances for which he underwent olfactory training. A new chapter as the designer opens the first Balmain Beauty boutique on rue des Francs-Bourgeois in Paris.
Madame Figaro. – My inspiration for The Eternals.
Olivier Rousteing. – I drew it from the legacy of the house and the disruptive spirit of Pierre Balmain. I also drew inspiration from my own story and feelings, particularly how I felt after my accident (Olivier Rousteing was seriously burned in a domestic accident at his home in 2020, Editor’s Note)
The perfume from the collection I recognize myself in.
Carbone, the first of eight children. The tension between musk and rose perfectly reflects my dichotomy, and the black and gold bottle reflects Balmain’s identity.
Press/Balmain Beauty
The smell that takes me back to childhood?
The rum that my grandmother used to put in crepes, and the cinnamon, because I’m from Bordeaux and I’m proud of it. There is also Ivoire by Balmain, which my grandmother wore, and Shalimar by Guerlain, which my mother wore.
What is eternal in my life?
Nobody is forever. What there is is a human imprint on this planet. Making history is my life’s obsession.
A piece of clothing or beauty that makes me feel powerful.
My jacket with shoulder pads. I also like to line my eyes in black with the Tom Ford Beauty pencil. And I feel good about my braids, which I’ve been growing out for a year now. They give me confidence in myself.
I feel good with my braids, they give me confidence
Olivier Rousteing
Got the best style advice?
When I first started at Balmain, Karl Lagerfeld complimented me on my outfit and said, “This is the jacket that makes you look gorgeous. You can wear anything, the important thing is to wear a suit jacket.”
What do I think when I look in the mirror?
I tell myself that at 38, I’m not doing too bad. Not knowing my biological parents, I often wonder what they look like and whether I take more after my dad or my mom.
My current beauty obsessions.
Face creams. I love ingredients that come from nature and I’m lucky enough to discover products in spas through my travels around the world. My morning rituals are treatments based on the pine trees of southern Austria, and I drink carrot, ginger, apple and blueberry juice for healthier skin. And every evening I make clay masks. I have also been using aloe vera a lot since my accident.
My biggest luxury today.
Freedom: freedom to create, think, live, be.
My state of mind at the moment?
In my personal and professional life, I feel an even stronger need for freedom and elevation. I want and need to climb even higher, reach the peaks.
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Misunderstanding about me?
So many… That’s what you get when you’re a public figure. I think it has a lot to do with my looks, my hair… People have made fun of me a lot. They say that I have done many plastic surgeries on my face.
What do I like people to say about me?
Make people feel good about me.
Last time I was proud of myself?
This morning when I managed to run 25 kilometers. But also when I saw Brigitte Macron sitting in the front row of my fashion show last September. It was a great source of pride.
What am I going to do after this interview?
Come back to my workshop and choose fabrics for my Winter 2025 pre-collection.
Perfumes from the “Les Ètérs” collection Balmain is available www.balmainbeauty.fr and at the Balmain Beauty boutique, 8, rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003 Paris.
Source: Le Figaro
