Fashion house Rabanne has appointed Olivier Rousteing as creative director, opening the next phase of a transformation that has reshaped the Maison during the past decade. The decision links the house’s future to the pioneering vision of Paco Rabanne, whose ideas challenged convention and established a distinctive, subversive creative identity. Rousteing now takes responsibility for carrying that identity forward as Rabanne continues its growth in fashion and beauty.
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His remit will extend beyond seasonal fashion collections. Rabanne plans to develop new product categories and create a broader ecosystem connecting fashion, beauty and innovation. Each division will contribute to a shared creative direction, allowing the Maison to strengthen the exchange between its products and reach a wider global audience. The company sees this structure as a way to support audacity, experimentation and cultural relevance while preserving the qualities that have defined the house.
This is a House that has always challenged convention, transforming bold ideas into creations that have shaped fashion history. Its spirit of innovation, craftsmanship, and fearless creativity has inspired generations, and today it inspires me – Rousteing
Ana Trias, President of Prestige & Fashion Brands at Puig, linked the appointment directly to Rousteing’s ability to communicate confidence and self-expression through fashion. She described his creative vision as magnetic and closely connected to the energy of the present, calling him a natural choice for Rabanne.
“With Olivier, we are opening a new chapter for the House,” Trias said.
Rousteing responded by describing the role as a tremendous honor. He praised Rabanne’s history of challenging convention and transforming daring ideas into creations that shaped fashion history. Innovation, technical skill and fearless creativity have inspired generations, he said, and they continue to inspire his own work today. His remarks also revealed a strong connection between his personal view of fashion and the values Paco Rabanne championed.
For Rousteing, fashion involves emotion, identity and the confidence to express an authentic sense of self. He linked those beliefs to Paco Rabanne’s vision of freedom and individuality, while expressing deep respect for the Maison’s past. He also emphasized collaboration, saying that he looks forward to working alongside the house’s teams as they develop its future together.
Before joining Rabanne, Olivier Rousteing spent 14 years as creative director of Balmain, where he reshaped the French house through sharp tailoring, dense embellishment, sculptural silhouettes and close ties to popular culture. Balmain appointed him in 2011 at age 25, making him the youngest non-founding designer to lead a major Paris fashion house since Yves Saint Laurent took charge at Dior. The appointment also made Rousteing the first Black person to direct every design category at an established French fashion house.
During his tenure, Balmain’s annual revenue grew from €30.4 million in 2012 to an estimated €300 million in 2024. Rousteing developed a direct relationship with a younger international audience through social media and created the “Balmain Army,” a circle of models, musicians and public figures that included Beyoncé, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian. Rousteing also served as Jean Paul Gaultier’s guest couturier for Fall 2022 and, after leaving Balmain, designed Beyoncé’s crystal-covered skeleton gown for the 2026 Met Gala.
That collaboration will guide Rabanne’s next stage as the company brings fashion, beauty and future categories into closer conversation. Rousteing will shape this broader creative system while the Maison continues to pursue fresh opportunities and develop a contemporary vision of luxury. The appointment gives Rabanne a designer whose work aligns with its interest in confidence, experimentation and cultural energy. The wider strategy also gives him room to address several areas of the business under one creative direction.
Rousteing succeeds Julien Dossena, who left Rabanne in June 2026 after 13 years at the Maison. Since joining in 2013, Dossena renewed the house’s metalwork, chainmail and futuristic material codes, strengthened its presence at Paris Fashion Week and dressed figures including Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Michelle Obama and Sabrina Carpenter.
Rabanne will present Olivier Rousteing’s first show for the Maison in March 2027. The debut will introduce his creative direction for the house and begin Rabanne’s next chapter under his leadership.
