Olivier Rousteing: Balmain designer reveals secret fireplace explosion injuries he hid for a year
A top French fashion designer has revealed the injuries he suffered after a fireplace exploded at his home and which he hid for a year.
Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of fashion house Balmain, disclosed his secret ordeal in an Instagram post, along with a picture of himself at the time of the accident swathed in bandages.
The 36-year-old said he did everything he could to conceal his wounds from friends and colleagues, including wearing face masks, long sleeves and jewellery.
Rousteing wrote: "To be honest I am not really sure why I was so ashamed, maybe this obsession with perfection that fashion is known for and my own insecurities…"
He added: "Now, a year later - healed, happy and healthy."
Sharing his story, Rousteing heaped praise on the medical staff at Paris's Hôpital Saint Louis where he woke up following the accident.
Despite "dealing with an incredible number of COVID cases at that same time", they "took amazing care" of him.
"I cannot thank them enough," he said.
Feeling "truly blessed" following his recovery, he said his last show had been "about the celebration of healing over pain".
He added: "Today, I feel so free, so good and so lucky.
"I'm beginning a new chapter with a smile on my face and a heart full of gratitude.
"There is always the sun after the storm."
Rousteing, who began his career at Roberto Cavalli, joined Balmain in 2009 and became its creative director in 2011 at the age of just 25.
