From the moment Olivier Rousteing met Binx Walton, he knew she was destined for the Balmain runway. “I met Binx at fittings for the Balmain AW14 show,” says Rousteing. “I instantly loved her tomboy yet supersexy look. She has an attitude that can give an edge to the most sophisticated and glamorous looks.” After strutting her stuff down Rousteing’s runway that season, their collaborations continued, with Walton appearing on the Balmain runway every season since. Rousteing even selected Walton to star alongside Cara Delevingne in the brand’s Mert and Marcus-lensed campaign.
Binx at Balmain’s Studio Photo: Courtesy KCD
It’s not every girl who manages to impress Rousteing. “I work through instinct, and I need to feel a connection when I meet a girl,” the designer says. “[Binx] is very strong, smart, and opinionated—she is super-young, but she knows what she wants.” Rousteing was drawn to the Tennessee native’s drive and distinctive look. “What I love about girls today is when they represent the new world. With her amazing mixed-race beauty, she is the new generation, hashtag diversity.”
Always one to bring energy and excitement to the staid backstage environment, Walton has earned a reputation as an engaging personality. “Binx always surprises me. She can be the funniest person, dancing and joking around during a shoot, and at the same time she’s super-professional and gives you the attitude that you’re looking for,” says Rousteing.
Since working together, Rousteing and Walton have developed a friendship that extends beyond designer and muse—though he still keeps her in mind when crafting his latest wares. “When I design the collection, I often have the girl in mind,” says Rousteing. Though Walton is a founding member of Rousteing’s girl gang, he’s always on the search for another inspiring Balmainiac. “It’s very important for me to work with such a variety of women, and it’s very flattering to see that so many girls want to be part of the Balmain Army.”
—Janelle Okwodu, Style.com
