Balenciaga’s New Creative Director Martine Rose: Her Most Iconic Fashion Moments
For the first time in its 109-year history, Balenciaga has appointed a woman as creative director. British-Jamaican designer Martine Rose is stepping into the role to redefine the luxury fashion house’s artistic vision—and to mark this historic appointment, we’re looking back at her most iconic fashion moments over her decades in the design world.
Who Is Martine Rose?
If you don’t know Martine Rose, she is a British designer and owner of the iconic luxury streetwear fusion brand Martine Rose, which she founded in 2007. With it, she has grown a massive celebrity fanbase, styling multiple stars for major events and dressing icons like Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Timothée Chalamet.
Where Has Rose Worked?
Though Rose has her own brand, she has collaborated with multiple iconic names in the fashion world. Between 2015 and 2018, Rose helped shape Balenciaga’s menswear, Yahoo reported. She has also worked with Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Supreme, and many more big names, according to WWD. Put simply, Rose is a formidable force in modern design. Let’s take a look at some of her defining moments.
Rihanna’s Streetwear
Rihanna has long been a champion of Martine Rose’s vision. Case in point: back in 2022, the “Umbrella” singer shut down the streets of New York City in a oversized Rose windbreaker, effortlessly pairing the sporty statement piece with a textured skirt and scarf. It was peak Rihanna—and pure Martine Rose.
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London Fashion Week 2017
For London Fashion Week 2017, Rose delivered standout leather jackets, classic quarter-zips, and impeccably tailored denim. Nearly a decade later, this fit is still in style.
More of London Fashion Week 2017
A second model strutted down the runway wearing a unique layered skirt, a striped satin blouse, and a sleek pair of sneakers to add a streetwear flair to the look.
Kendrick Lamar at the 2025 Super Bowl
Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl performance was legendary not only for his Grammy Award-winning diss track “Not Like Us,” but his fashion was on point, too. Martine Rose gets some credit, as she designed the leather Gloria jacket he wore for the performance.
Kendrick Lamar at the 2023 Grammy Awards
K-Dot is a big fan of the British designer, and for the 2023 Grammys, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper was in custom Martine Rose, delivering a streetwear moment that was also very sophisticated.
Nike Shoe MR4 x Martine Rose Collab
If you were in awe of Kendrick Lamar’s sneakers at the Grammys, they also came from the creative genius of Martine Rose. Dubbed online as the “dad sneakers,” the unique silhouette is a mixture of a dress shoe and classic Nike comfort and style.
Milan Fashion Week 2024
Rose is a big fan of baggy, oversized looks, which she showcased at Milan Fashion Week 2024 with an ’80s-inspired jumpsuit that was both structured with defined shoulders and relaxed enough to remain effortlessly fly.
Timothée Chalamet at “A Complete Unknown” Premiere
At the premiere of his film “A Complete Unknown” in January 2025, Timothée Chalamet rocked an elegant Martine Rose suit that made him look like the rockstar Bob Dylan he portrayed in the film.
More of Milan Fashion Week 2024
One look from Milan Fashion Week that we are still obsessed with is this silky trench coat, paired with some light-wash denim baggy jeans and square-toe loafer shoes.
Eye-Catching Bags
When it comes to Martine Rose, nothing is basic. Even bags from the British designer are iconic for their bright patterns and trendy silhouettes.
Hailey Bieber’s Streetwear
Like Rihanna, Hailey Bieber is another celebrity who is a fan of the designer and is often seen sporting her pieces. In 2023, the model was off-duty fly in a black, red, and gray color-blocked Martine Rose windbreaker, black skirt, and dark shades.
Most Recent Supreme Collaboration
Most recently, Martine Rose has collaborated with Supreme for a collection that has folks on social media rushing to get themselves a new jacket or sweater for their closet this fall. With such a versatile fashion portfolio that always has fans demanding more, we are ready to see what Rose will accomplish at Balenciaga!
