French fashion house Balmain announces Antonin Tron as the house’s new Creative Director. He will present his first collection for the label, the Fall Winter 2026-27 line, in Paris in March 2026. In his introductory statement, Tron thanks Balmain’s leadership for their trust, and Olivier Rousteing for shaping the brand’s modern identity. He emphasizes his alignment with Balmain’s traditions of craftsmanship, culture, sensuality and elegance.
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Tron studied fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and graduated in 2008. After his studies, he worked with fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Balenciaga, serving under designers such as Raf Simons and Nicolas Ghesquière. His Paris-based brand Atlein launched in March 2016. Tron earned recognition early when Atlein won the ANDAM Prix des Premières Collections in 2016. He also received the ANDAM Grand Prize in 2018.
We are thrilled to welcome Antonin to the House of Balmain. Antonin’s approach to design, rooted in the art of draping and the physicality of fabric, marks a continuation of Pierre Balmain’s foundational belief that ‘dressmaking is the architecture of movement’. Like Balmain, Antonin sees fashion as a spatial art, building around the human form with precision and emotion. Antonin will build on the House’s heritage of creativity, craftsmanship, elegance, and profound human values. We look forward to his first show for the house in Paris in March. – Matteo Sgarbossa, Chief Executive Officer of Balmain
His label Atlein gained attention for its artisanal draping, sculptural tailoring and jersey construction. Tron built the company around independent production and research-based textile development, including experiments in eco-tech fabrications and local manufacturing. He has cited surfing, subcultural aesthetics and minimalist form as sources for his design thinking.
Balmain’s announcement follows a fourteen-year tenure by Olivier Rousteing, during which the brand expanded its international presence and commercial scale. Tron steps into the role with access to Balmain’s atelier infrastructure and craft networks, while bringing his own focus on draping, material work and a considered design process.
As Creative Director, Tron inherits a house established by Pierre Balmain in 1945 and known for architectural silhouettes and contemporary couture technique. He frames his arrival by referencing “savoir-faire, culture, sensuality and elegance,” and links his prior work at Atlein to the opportunity at Balmain.
His debut collection in March 2026 marks a new chapter for the house. With his background in technical construction and conceptual textiles, he will guide Balmain into its next phase while maintaining continuity with its existing design identity.
