Creative director Olivier Rousteing confirmed via Instagram on Sunday that the garments, set to be unveiled as part of the 2024 Spring/Summer collection at the fashion show on Sept. 27, were stolen from a “hijacked” delivery truck.
"This morning I woke up with a smile, starting the fittings for my next show at 9 am and this is what happened…,” Rousteing, who has been creative director of Balmain since 2011, wrote.
He explained that he had been “waiting for the last looks for our show” when he received a call about the alleged robbery.
"Our driver said that he was hijacked by a group of people,” Rousteing recalled. “More than 50 Balmain pieces stolen. He was driving from the airport to the Balmain headquarters."
“This is so unfair,” the designer added as he vented his frustrations for his team, who “worked so hard” on the new collection before adding that he was so grateful that "the driver is safe."
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“So many people worked so hard to make this collection happen,” the director continued in his post. “We are redoing everything but this is so, so disrespectful.”
“Please be safe, this is the world we are living in. Love you my Balmain team and we won’t give up,” Rousteing concluded.
CNN reported that the theft had taken place on Saturday in Paris.
As per Reuters, a spokesperson for Balmain confirmed that the label’s fashion show is still taking place later this month. They did not comment on the alleged robbery pending an investigation.
Members of the fashion industry, along with fans, shared their support via social media, following Rousteing's statement. “???? sending you all my love. I know that you and your creativity will be able to overcome this!” Versace creative director Donatella Versace wrote underneath his post.
