“Relying on boxing as the metaphor for this collaboration seemed so very natural for us—it’s the perfect fit. I’m boxing at the gym every morning and Cara loves the sport, as well. But, boxing doesn’t mean just fighting against somebody else—for us, it also represents a positive, motivating force. We love it because it is a sport that teaches you to continually push yourself farther than you thought possible, while giving you the confidence to always stick up for yourself.”
Olivier Rousteing

The first thing you’ll notice is all the pink. It’s everywhere. That makes perfect sense, of course –for a collaboration with Barbie, you go all-out for pink, since that color has become synonymous with the brand. So, Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing designed the collection’s palette to evolve from the softest blushes to a host of stronger tones. Much of the limited-edition collection played with new spins on familiar Balmain signatures, including the house’s iconic marinière and its mesmerizing Labyrinth pattern.

Since “Renaissance,” Sébastien Bertaud’s 2015 ballet for the Opera of Paris, paid tribute to the elegance, sophistication and opulence of the legendary Ecole de Danse Française, a collaboration with Balmain seemed a natural fit. Olivier Rousteing’s designs highlighted both the acclaimed savoir-faire of the Balmain’s atelier and the recognizable modern style of the designer, with impressive golden and silver embellishments covering flesh-colored performance pieces and rhinestones and pearls embroidered directly onto bodysuits, tights and draped tees.