The Fusion of Fashion & Fragrance
+ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
A Dialogue on Craftsmanship, Sustainability, and the Future of Fragrance with Hans Dorsinville- SVP Global Creative, Balmain Beauty
By Josie NeJame
In a world where fashion and fragrance seamlessly intertwine, Balmain has launched “Les Éternels de Balmain,” its first foray into the world of luxury beauty. This collection of eight gender-neutral eau de parfum honors both Pierre Balmain’s timeless Parisian heritage and Olivier Rousteing’s daring modern vision. After experiencing the collection firsthand at the first Balmain Beauty boutique in Paris, I’ve truly come to my senses—literally and figuratively. Among these captivating scents, I’ve found a new personal favorite: Rouge, an alluring fragrance that perfectly captures Balmain’s signature strength and elegance.
As always, Olivier Rousteing has embedded his ethos of diversity and inclusion into this line. His vision of fashion and beauty being inseparable is clearly evident, as both tell a story about who we are. With Balmain Beauty, the aim is to celebrate all forms of beauty, encouraging everyone to embrace their individuality. Behind the scenes, Senior Vice President of Global Creative for Balmain Beauty, Hans Dorsinville, played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life with the Balmain Beauty team . Below I’ll be sharing an exclusive Q&A with Hans where we dive deeper into the creative process and the future of BALMAIN BEAUTY below.
At the heart of “Les Éternels de Balmain” is the idea of personal expression. Rousteing has built a global following by reshaping Balmain’s identity around openness, and this fragrance line extends that vision into the realm of luxury beauty. Each scent is crafted as a reflection of self-discovery, inviting wearers to celebrate their unique identity through scent. The collection’s inclusive design reflects the brand’s desire to represent all forms of beauty, with no exceptions.
Rousteing’s belief that beauty is about being authentic shines through, as he enthuses stated, “Balmain Beauty is about self-expression—having the confidence to be yourself, no matter who you are.”
The “Les Éternels de Balmain” collection draws inspiration from the brand’s archives, merging timeless French perfumery with modern design. With eight fragrances, each scent speaks to different aspects of identity, grouped into four olfactive families: Musk, Amber, Floral, and Woody. My favorite, Rouge, perfectly balances boldness and sophistication, offering an immersive olfactory experience.
The collection’s meticulous craftsmanship extends to the packaging as well, with sleek, modern bottles designed with sustainability in mind. The line reflects Balmain’s commitment to environmental responsibility by reducing plastic use and introducing refillable options.
This debut is just the beginning for Balmain Beauty. Hans Dorsinville hinted at even more exciting developments in the pipeline during our interview, sharing that the brand plans to explore additional beauty categories in the future. With its dedication to diversity and innovation, Balmain Beauty is set to make an enduring impact on both the beauty and fashion industries.
For now, “Les Éternels de Balmain” is a remarkable introduction, blending heritage and modernity to invite all of us to find our own signature scent. For me, that discovery starts with Rouge.
KEEP READING FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HANS DORSINVILLE
“Balmain Beauty is about welcoming all beauties of the world, with no exception. With Les Éternels, we want all to have the freedom to live their truth, free and powerful.”
A Dialogue on Craftsmanship, Sustainability, & the Future of Fragrance with Hans Dorsinville- SVP Global Creative, Balmain Beauty
Q: The fragrance bottles have such a unique and luxurious design. Can you share the inspiration behind the bottle aesthetics and how it reflects Balmain’s brand identity?
Hans Dorsinville: The Les Éternels de Balmain collection is inspired by Balmain’s first timeless flacon created in 1946. Evolving from this shape, the square now becomes a lozenge, the Balmain signature rayure, inspired by early fragrance packaging, covers the glass, and a new finish and color palette flatters the touch and the eye. In the end, we wanted to create a bottle you would recognize with your eyes closed.
Q: With sustainability in mind, what were some of the key design decisions made to minimize environmental impact while preserving the elegance of the packaging? And why this was a priority for Balmain beauty?
HD: Our bottles are refillable and recyclable, and we have cello-free packaging. We are committed to always doing better, solidifying our sustainability goals as we progress. We are so proud to have recently been awarded the Butterfly Mark, underscoring our dedication to meet higher standards for people and nature.
Q: The new interactive perfume stations in Balmain are a standout feature. What was your vision for this interactive station, and how does it balance technology with a personalized high touch service?
HD: On September 26, we opened our first ever Balmain Beauty boutique, located in the Marais district of Paris. At the very heart of our store is what we call the Sense Portal, a tool to immerse yourself in a full discovery of the fragrances using all your senses. It lets you smell, but also touch, hear, see, and feel the eight fragrances. The Sense Portal allows you to experience the collection in your own terms and on your own time. I invite all your readers to stop by our boutique if they happen to be in Paris, we are located at 8 rue des Francs Bourgeois.
Q: During the show, there were hints about exciting developments for Balmain Beauty. Can you share any teasers about what customers can expect in the near future?
HD: For Olivier Rousteing, “Fashion cannot exist without beauty, and beauty cannot exist without fashion.” I thought the September 25 Spring-Summer 2025 womenswear presentation was clever, with elements of beauty peppered through the collection. Olivier took the shape of the bottle and applied it in the form of bags, heels of shoes, and jewelry. The shape even made it as a dress! Olivier also gave hints of how makeup plays a role in fashion.
For us, fragrance becomes the first beauty chapter of a new book for the brand, to expand into new categories in the future to create a full world of beauty.
Q: As you celebrate “all the beauties of the world,” how does this philosophy inform your upcoming collections or initiatives? What trends in the beauty industry do you see influencing Balmain Beauty’s future products and strategies?
HD: Balmain Beauty is about welcoming all beauties of the world, with no exception. With Les Éternels, we want all to have the freedom to live their truth, free and powerful.
