It turns out Olivier Rousteing is just like us. The creative director, who has been at the helm of Balmain since 2016, is like so many others, is an enthusiastic follower of the Duffer Brothers’ blockbuster fantasy-horror series Stranger Things.
Although it’s hard to imagine Olivier curled up on the sofa with popcorn in one hand and a remote control in the other, his Netflix habit has led to fashion’s most unlikely collaboration of 2022.
MORE: Sabrina Sato shares her Paris Fashion Week diary with us
RELATED: Cher walked the Balmain SS23 show and 5 other iconic moments you might have missed
Balmain x Stranger Things
The historic house of Balmain, long associated with a distinctively Parisian savoir-faire have dropped a Limited-Edition Balmain x Stranger Things Collection. Olivier has been dedicated to following the main characters, a small gang of misfits, as they progress through middle and high school, constantly forced to band together to battle against an impressive army of supernatural monsters, Cold-War villains, mad scientists and adolescent bullies.
“I was born in 1985, and the four seasons of Stranger Things take place in America from 1983-1986, so of course, none of this is anywhere near to what we were all wearing when I was going to my lycée in Bordeaux, France, many years later,” explains Olivier. “But how could you not be in awe of all those incredible looks? I may not be a child of that moment, but those familiar with my Balmain runways already know that I’ve always been mesmerized by the singular pop spirit of that era—so, when Netflix reached out to me to design a special, limited-edition Balmain x Stranger Things collection, I was immediately on board.” As compelling as each season’s storyline might be, Olivier admits that he is equally fascinated by the absolute perfection of the series’ eighties-era settings, music, graphics, colors, hair, make-up and, above all, wardrobe choices.
MORE: Bella Hadid serves 'footballer chic' in Adidas x Balenciaga's new campaign
RELATED: 10 affordable designer brands that fashion editors love
Balmain x Stranger Things
The collection channels the signature bright and effervescent stylings and inimitable cuts that set apart the eighties’ music videos, jazzercise workouts and mall-rat uniforms—with Rousteing and his design team carefully finishing off each offering with the expert tailoring and rich embellishments that we’ve come to expect from him during his tenure at Balmain. Stranger Things logos, icons and catch phrases are paired with oversized, boldly patterned tops, tights and perfectly tailored 1980s denim.
Sneakerheads will be pleased to know that a special edition of the house’s best-selling B-Court’s have been adapted to match the collaboration’s distinctive spirit and a Balmain iPhone case has morphed into the type of personalized mix tape that haven’t been spotted on the streets since CDs and iPods replaced cassettes.
The limited-edition designs will be available at the Balmain flagship boutiques on rue Saint Honoré in Paris and Melrose Place in Los Angeles, as well as on Balmain.com. And of course just as you'd expect, the Balmain x Stranger Things collection drops on Stranger Things Day (November 6th).
Like this story? Sign up to our Hello! Fashion newsletter to get your weekly 'Fashion Fix' delivered straight to your inbox.