Rabanne Appoints Olivier Rousteing as New Creative Director

Červenec 14, 2026 - 19:00

On July 14, the French fashion and fragrance house Rabanne announced the appointment of Olivier Rousteing as its new Creative Director.

Rousteing succeeds Julien Dossena, who stepped down in June after leading the Puig-owned house for 13 years. Rousteing previously served as Creative Director of Balmain for 14 years before leaving the role in November 2025.

Commenting on his appointment, Rousteing said: “Let this beautiful journey begin. Joining Rabanne is a tremendous honor. This is a House that has always challenged convention, transforming bold ideas into creations that have shaped fashion history. Its spirit of innovation, craftsmanship, and fearless creativity has inspired generations, and today it inspires me.”

Summary

Rabanne has appointed Olivier Rousteing as its new Creative Director
After leading Balmain for 14 years, Rousteing succeeds Julien Dossena, who spent 13 years at the helm of Rabanne
His first pre-fall collection for the house is scheduled to be unveiled in November 2026, followed by his debut runway collection during Paris Fashion Week in March 2027
Under Rousteing’s creative direction, Puig plans to strengthen the relationship between fashion, beauty and innovation while expanding Rabanne into new product categories

A 14-Year Career at Balmain

Rousteing was appointed Creative Director of Balmain in 2011 at the age of 25. During his tenure, he built a glamorous and instantly recognizable aesthetic defined by powerful silhouettes, intricate embellishment, and the house’s couture craftsmanship. He also expanded Balmain’s reach among a broader and younger audience through celebrity partnerships and an active social media presence.

His work extended beyond fashion into collaborations and beauty. In 2024, he oversaw the launch of Les Éternels de Balmain, an eight-fragrance collection developed under a licensing agreement with Estée Lauder.

In 2022, Rousteing also designed an haute couture collection as a guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier, which, like Rabanne, is owned by Puig.

Carrying Forward Paco Rabanne’s Experimental Spirit

At the heart of Rabanne is the experimental approach to materials and clothing established by its founder, Paco Rabanne, beginning in the 1960s.

By working with materials that were highly unconventional in fashion at the time — including metal and plastic — Rabanne proposed a form of dressmaking that moved beyond traditional sewing techniques. Avant-garde creations such as dresses assembled from linked metal discs remain central to the house’s visual identity today.

During his tenure, Dossena did not simply reproduce these archival codes. Instead, he reinterpreted them through fluid dresses and contemporary everyday wardrobes, bringing the house’s metallic materials and futuristic design language into the present. His direction contributed to the growth of Rabanne’s fashion business and strengthened its international visibility.

Rousteing also paid tribute to the legacy of his predecessor: “His vision has redefined the House for a new generation while remaining deeply respectful of its pioneering spirit. I have great admiration for what he has built and for the powerful dialogue he created between Rabanne’s heritage and contemporary fashion.”

Known for an expressive and highly embellished approach to design, Rousteing has frequently explored unconventional materials and silhouettes that emphasize the body. Attention will now turn to how his creative language intersects with Rabanne’s longstanding spirit of experimentation.

Strengthening the Connection Between Fashion and Beauty

The appointment aligns with Puig’s strategy to bring fashion, beauty and innovation into closer dialogue while expanding Rabanne’s universe across multiple categories.

Ana Trias, President of Prestige & Fashion Brands at Puig, said: “Olivier Rousteing’s creative vision is bold, magnetic, and deeply connected to the energy of today. His unique ability to create fashion that celebrates confidence and self-expression makes him a natural choice for Rabanne. With Olivier, we are opening a new chapter for the house.”

Puig entered the fragrance licensing business in 1968 with the launch of a Paco Rabanne fragrance. In 1987, the company acquired the brand’s entire business, including its fashion and accessories divisions.

In 2023, Paco Rabanne was renamed Rabanne as part of a strategy to unite its fashion and fragrance operations under a single brand identity. That same year, Rabanne became the first brand in Puig’s portfolio to exceed €1 billion in annual sales.

Fragrances including 1 Million, Invictus, Fame and Phantom remain major pillars of the business. The fashion division, meanwhile, visually communicates the avant-garde identity established by the founder, supporting the cultural relevance and broader brand value of Rabanne across fashion and beauty.

In its official announcement, Rabanne said that under Rousteing’s creative direction, the house would continue to expand into new product categories. The goal is to further develop a comprehensive brand ecosystem in which fashion, beauty and innovation remain in constant dialogue.

Rousteing’s first pre-fall collection for Rabanne is scheduled to be unveiled in November 2026. He will then present his first runway collection for the house during Paris Fashion Week in March 2027.

Looking ahead to the house’s future, Rousteing said: “For me, fashion is about emotion, identity, and the confidence to express who we truly are. That belief feels deeply connected to Paco Rabanne and his enduring vision of freedom and individuality. I look forward to working alongside the remarkable teams of the House to honor this unique legacy while shaping a future that is bold, inspiring, and open to new possibilities.”

Rousteing’s glamorous creative language and ability to command global attention now meet Rabanne’s enduring exploration of materials and futurism. At the intersection of these distinct identities, a new chapter for the house begins.