Antonin Tron is the new creative director of Balmain

Antonin Tron is the new creative director of the French fashion house Balmain. He succeeds Olivier Rousteing, who, after 14 years at the helm, became almost synonymous with Balmain’s aesthetic. Rousteing’s departure marks the end of one of the longest, most influential, and most visible creative tenures in 21st-century fashion.

The French designer Antonin Tron graduated from the renowned Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where he studied alongside Demna and Glenn Martens. He gained experience at Louis Vuitton, designing menswear, and later at Givenchy and Balenciaga, where he worked in womenswear departments. However, he is best known to the fashion public for founding his own label, Atlein, in 2016. His work at Atlein is defined by softly draped jersey pieces, sensual dresses, sculptural tailoring, and bold coats. A passionate surfer, Tron’s designs emphasize the body, its energy, and its movement. The name Atlein itself pays tribute to the Atlantic Ocean. The brand won the ANDAM Creative Brand Prize in 2016 and the Grand Prize in 2018. Atlein’s latest collection for Fall 2025 featured alluring asymmetric dresses, leggings, and oversized blazers, suggesting that Tron might indeed be a strong fit for Balmain. Still, following the Rousteing era will be no easy task.

“Balmain has such an inspiring history. At its core, the house embodies craftsmanship, culture, sensuality, and elegance—a kind of fashion that is radiant, precise, and bold. That deeply resonates with me, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to build on this incredible legacy,” said Tron, who begins his work at Balmain this month. His first collection for the house will be presented in March as part of the Fall/Winter 2026 season.