Balmain’s new collection stolen as delivery truck ‘hijacked’ in Paris, says label boss

Dozens of garments from French label Balmain’s forthcoming collection were stolen when a delivery truck was “hijacked by a group of people,” according to the company’s artistic director, Olivier Rousteing.
The alleged robbery took place early Saturday, less than two weeks before the brand was due to unveil its new designs at Paris Fashion Week’s Spring-Summer 2024 edition.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Rousteing wrote that “more than 50” of the label’s new items had been stolen — as had the truck transporting them. He said the incident took place as the garments were being delivered from the airport to the company’s headquarters in central Paris, though he did not specify which airport.
The French designer, who has helmed Balmain since 2011, was informed of the theft by the truck’s driver, who he reported as “safe.”
“This is so unfair,” Rousteing’s statement continued, adding that Balmain and its suppliers will work “days and nights” to remake the missing garments.
“We are redoing everything but this is so disrespectful,” he wrote in an accompanying caption, adding: “Love you my Balmain team and we won’t give up.”
Balmain is among over 100 brands — including the powerhouses of French fashion, like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Saint Laurent and Dior — set to showcase their latest creations during Paris Fashion Week’s nine-day schedule.
A label spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that Balmain’s show will go ahead as scheduled on Sept. 27, but declined to comment on the robbery, pending an investigation. The company did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/style/balmains-theft-olivier-rousteing/index.html |