Rihanna for Balmain spring/summer 2014

We Found Love singer Rihanna has been announced as the new face of the spring/summer 2014 collection for the French fashion house Balmain. RiRi is set to model for the brand’s latest collection, inspired by the 1980s.

Balmain was founded by Pierre Balmain, who got famous for designing dresses for Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot. His designs were often compared to Christian Dior and Jacques Fath. The brand has always been famous for its conservatism combined with playful creativity. In 1946 Balmain launched its fragrance Élysées 64/83, which represented the phone number of the atelier. This was later changed, so that customers could simply dial B-A-L-M-A-I-N to reach the salon. Between 1993 and 2002, Oscar de la Renta was designing the haute couture collections for the house of Balmain.

The label has many celebrity fans including Kate Beckinsale, Beyoncé and R’n’B singer Ciara. The Balmain spring/summer 2014 collection features styles that definitely reflect the taste of the Barbadian singer. The range features oversized gold statement accessories, hounds tooth print blazers and skirts and jumpsuits made from denim and leather.

Rihanna was chosen to represent the brand by Balmain’s fashion director Olivier Rousteing and is following the footsteps of Kate Moss and Daria Werbowy. The singer proudly announced the news to her fans on her official Twitter page: “Guess who’s the new BALMAIN Woman???!!!!!!!”

Adrienn Bardossy