STATES OF LUXURY: Balmain has appointed Phung Truong as president of Balmain Americas.

Revealing the new hire exclusively to WWD, Balmain said it comes “at an important moment for Balmain as the house continues to strengthen its presence in the United States and advance its next phase of growth.”

It also underscored its “continued ambition to build meaningful, long-term growth while strengthening the house’s relationship with its clients, partners and the broader luxury community.”

Truong joins the French fashion house from OTB, where she served for the past two years as managing director for Marni and Jil Sander in North America.

She succeeds Emily George, “who will pursue new opportunities following five years leading the region,” according to Balmain, which expressed its appreciation to George “for her leadership and contribution to the house over the past five years.”

Lauding Truong’s “extensive experience in luxury retail and commercial leadership,” Balmain said she will
“work closely with Balmain’s global leadership team to accelerate the brand’s development across the U.S. market while supporting creative director Antonin Tron as he establishes his new creative vision for the Parisian house.”

A seasoned French designer who came onto the international radar in 2016 when he founded his Atlein brand, Tron showed his first collection for Balmain for fall 2026, and is to show his sophomore collection on Sept. 30 during Paris Fashion Week.

A communication and media studies graduate of Hunter College, Truong started her fashion career at Alice + Olivia in 2011, rising to district manager over her four-year tenure, her LinkedIn profile shows.

She went on to work Valentino, Chloé, Stadium Goods and Jimmy Choo in senior retail executive roles.