Olivier Rousteing on designing for close friend Beyoncé: ‘It’s scary’
The 32-year-old Frenchman has worked with a number of celebrities as creative director at Balmain.
By Will Stroude
Olivier Rousteing is a powerhouse in the fashion industry after becoming the youngest creative director at Balmain at the tender age of 25.
Now 32, he has worked to enhance the brand and has teamed up with a number of celebrities including Kanye West, Jane Fonda and Beyoncé.
While close friends with the ‘Lemonade’ singer, Rousteing admits in an exclusive interview in Attitude’s September Style issue – available to buy and download now – that he always gets scared by her level of perfectionism.
He says: “Even though she is my friend, and someone I really love, it’s scary because of the level of perfectionism, and the details are important.
Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing, shot by Leonardo Corredor exclusively for the September issue of Attitude
“Of course, Beyonce wants the most complicated dress from the show that fits her moves and her dancing.
“She is jumping and dancing and twerking, so technically it is challenging. She knows that with me. I will push… she told me one day, when we were in LA for rehearsals, ‘You and I are the same. We are perfectionists and we always push to the limits’.”
Rousteing also adds how his brand “loves to hear people” and offers an understanding of what people want to feel and look like.
“These are the people who actually speak to you and understand what they love about the Balmain brand,” he adds.
“Even with Kim (Kardashian West) or Jane Fonda, when she wears Balmain, we have the chance to understand what they feel and want to look like. Balmain is a brand that loves to hear people.”
Attitude’s September Style issue is out now, complete with a FREE 68-page supplement celebrating 300 issues of Attitude.
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Photography: Leonardo Corredor
Fashion and words: Joseph Kocharian
Make Up: Gregoris at Calliste Agency
Olivier wears Balmain Homme FW 18/19