French fashion house Rabanne is entrusting its next era to a well-known designer.

Announced July 14, the Puig-owned label has appointed Olivier Rousteing as creative director, setting his runway debut for March 2027. Spending 14 years at the helm of Balmain before departing in 2025, Mr. Rousteing arrives with a mandate that spans well beyond the catwalk: Rabanne says he will steer an expansion into new product categories while strengthening the connection between its fashion and beauty businesses.

“Olivier Rousteing's creative vision is bold, magnetic, and deeply connected to the energy of today,” said Ana Trias, president of prestige and fashion brands at Puig, in a statement.

“His unique ability to create fashion that celebrates confidence, and self-expression makes him a natural choice for Rabanne.”

A house built on audacity
Mr. Rousteing succeeds former creative director Julien Dossena, who stepped down earlier this year after more than a decade shaping the house’s aesthetic.

He joins Rabanne as Puig plots the brand’s next phase in a decade of transformation, one meant to honor founder Paco Rabanne’s legacy while scaling the maison’s reach.

“This is a house that has always challenged convention, transforming bold ideas into creations that have shaped fashion history,” said Mr. Rousteing, in a statement.

“For me, fashion is about emotion, identity, and the confidence to express who we truly are,” he said. “That belief feels deeply connected to Paco Rabanne and his enduring vision of freedom and individuality.”