MONSIEUR - BPS-153 - Black & Gold

Whenever Olivier Rousteing and other members
of the Balmain family reference the house founder,
they steer clear of an informal tone—since respect
is, of course, due to the trailblazing founder of one
of Paris’ most historic houses. That’s reflected in the
repeated use of the honorific—for, at 44 rue François
Premier, they’re definitely not on a first-name basis.
It’s Monsieur Balmain, thank you.

That aura of earnedreverence was the starting point for this oval optical
design’s striking rimless silhouette, which stands apart
due to impressive artisanal embellishments, including
tactile lines pressed into the Japanese titanium,
rivets embellishing the top and bottom of each lens,
and titanium mesh side caps that have been lasered
with the house’s historic Labyrinth logo. Overall, the
design honors an authentic and enduring heritage, but
make no mistake: this timeless style is a homage to an
O.G.—not old-school—house founder