Thieves stole dozens of items of clothing by the Balmain fashion brand that were due to be unveiled at Paris Fashion Week later in September.
The French fashion house’s creative director Olivier Rousteing said a gang hijacked a delivery truck transporting the company’s latest line from one of the Paris airports to Balmain’s headquarters in the early hours of Saturday.
They made off with more than 50 pieces of clothing along with the truck, Mr Rousteing said, without specifying which airport the clothes were coming from.
Mr Rousteing said the news soured what had begun as a good day preparing for his next show.
“This morning I woke up with a smile,” he told his 9.8 million followers on Instagram.
But then: “Our delivery was hijacked.”
The truck was carrying the final pieces of his women’s wear spring/summer 2024 collection that were due to be unveiled at the designer’s show at Paris Fashion Week on Sept 27 2023.
Mr Rousteing said the driver was found safe but the truck and clothing were gone.
“So many people worked so hard to make this collection happen. We are redoing everything but this is so so disrespectful,” he said.
Attractive to younger generation
Balmain is one of France’s most expensive brands, with its handbags starting at nearly £600.
Mr Rousteing became its creative director in 2011 and is credited with making the brand more attractive to a younger generation by embracing hip-hop and diversity.
Celebrity clients include Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé, who has worn various bespoke Balmain pieces during her 2023 Renaissance tour. Actress Emily Blunt wore a mint-green Balmain dress at the Paris premiere of Chris Nolan’s movie Oppenheimer in July 2023.
Following Sunday’s heist, fellow designers and celebrities took to Instagram to express their support.
“Sending you all my love,” wrote Donatella Versace. “I know that you and your creativity will be able to overcome this.”
“Awful. Sending you love,” wrote supermodel Linda Evangelista.
Paris Fashion Week is one of the most important dates in the calendar for designers.
