Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing just confirmed an upcoming collaboration with Nike via Instagram. The designer posted a series of icons, each with the captions, “ARE U READY ? @nike x @olivier_rousteing #epic #champions #dreamteam #nikelab.”
While Balmain has often received mixed reviews, Rousteing, who first took helm of the brand in 2011 at the age of 25, has transformed the French fashion house into a red carpet regular and celebrity favorite. He has also been outspoken about the issue of diversity and regularly features models of color in Balmain’s ads and shows.
Rihanna featured in a series of ads for the brand in 2013, and Kanye West, a close friend, starred in an ad in 2015.
Rousteing joins Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci, who also collaborated with Nike earlier this year. Interestingly enough, both designers are close friends Kanye, who parted ways with the brand in 2015.
The forthcoming collaboration isn’t Rousteing’s first foray into the mass market. His 2015 collaboration with H&M caused a frenzy and sold out in minutes.
[…] a brief teaser/announcement on Instagram, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing has unveiled the first set of images from his upcoming […]