Olivier Rousteing, the French fashion designer, is making a big comeback. Less than a year after leaving Balmain, he has been named the new Creative Director of Rabanne. His first collection will be shown at Paris Fashion Week in March 2027 for the Fall/Winter season.
Rousteing shared the news on Instagram with a close-up photo of Rabanne’s metallic paillette design and the caption, “A new era.” This hints at an exciting new direction for the brand.
Rousteing said he is honored to join Rabanne and sees it as a chance to build on a brand known for breaking the rules. He praised Rabanne’s history of innovation, craftsmanship, and bold creativity, saying its pioneering spirit has inspired him throughout his career.
Rousteing takes over from Julien Dossena, who led Rabanne for 13 years before stepping down. This is Rousteing’s first big role since leaving Balmain in late 2025, where he spent 14 years turning the brand into one of fashion’s most well-known names.
At Balmain, Rousteing became famous for bold shapes, glamorous looks, and working with celebrities. He gained worldwide attention by collaborating with stars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian. One of his standout recent designs was Beyoncé’s jewel-encrusted skeletal gown for the 2026 Met Gala.
Rousteing was born in Bordeaux in 1985 and studied fashion in Paris before starting his career at Roberto Cavalli. He joined Balmain in 2009 and became Creative Director just two years later, at age 25, making him one of the youngest to lead a major Paris fashion house. His appointment was also seen as a milestone for diversity in French luxury fashion.
Rousteing has also shared his personal story. In his documentary Wonder Boy, he talked about being adopted and looking for his biological parents. He also spoke about the emotional impact of suffering severe burns in a household accident in 2021, which later inspired a Balmain collection focused on healing and resilience.
Many in the industry say Rousteing helped Balmain grow worldwide. Under his leadership, the brand saw strong commercial growth, expanded its international store presence, launched beauty and fragrance lines, collaborated with H&M on a collection that sold out quickly, and boosted its luxury status through celebrity campaigns.
Rabanne’s parent company, Puig, says Rousteing’s creativity and cultural influence will shape the brand’s future. Ana Trias, President of Prestige and Fashion Brands at Puig, called him a designer who celebrates confidence, individuality, and modern self-expression, making him a great fit to lead Rabanne forward.
Fashion fans are excited about the news and look forward to seeing how Rousteing’s glamorous style will mix with Rabanne’s futuristic roots. His first collection in March 2027 is expected to be one of the most anticipated debuts at Paris Fashion Week.
Rabanne was started by Paco Rabanne, the Spanish-born designer who changed fashion in the 1960s with his use of metal, chainmail, and unusual materials. Olivier Rousteing is known for dramatic, sculptural designs, which could be a great fit for Rabanne’s experimental style. Fashion experts will be watching to see if he can modernize the brand while keeping its unique avant-garde identity.
