DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – When dozens of clothes were stolen from the upcoming collection of French brand “Balmain,” a gang hijacked a delivery truck, the company’s artistic director Olivier Rousteing said.
The theft happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, two weeks before the brand is set to unveil its new designs at the Spring/Summer 2024 edition of Fashion Week in the French capital, Paris.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Roosting indicated that “more than 50” of the brand’s new products were stolen, as well as the truck transporting them.
Credit: Stephen Cardinale – Corbis/Getty Images
He said the accident occurred while delivering clothes from the airport to the company’s headquarters in central Paris, but did not specify the airport.
The French designer, who has run the Balmain brand since 2011, said he was “safe” and was reported stolen by a truck driver.
“It is very unfair,” Roosting wrote in his statement, adding that Balmain and its suppliers would work “day and night” to re-produce the lost clothes.
“We remake everything, but this is very disrespectful,” he explained: “I love you, Team Balmain, we will not give up.”
A spokesperson for the company confirmed to Reuters that the Balmain show would go on as planned on September 27, but declined to comment on the theft pending an investigation.
The company did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
Balmain was founded in 1945.
The company is now controlled by Qatari investment fund Mayhola, which also owns 70% of Italian brand Valentino.
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