As a fashion designer, Pierre Balmain was known as one of the most famous of his time. The Parisian couturier dressed queens, princesses, movie stars and many other famous people. A wide variety of different styles, but with an always characteristic, understated styling is characteristic of the Balmain collections. The designers were inspired by the art and culture of the Arabs and Mandarins in particular. This art, in which stylish and realistic images of flowers and plants are often used, runs like a thread through the collection.