Balenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga,
a Spanish designer, born in the Basque Country. He had a reputation
as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to
as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble
skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern shapes were trademarks
of the house. The house of Balenciaga is now owned by the French
multinational company PPR.
History
Cristóbal Balenciaga opened his first boutique in San Sebastián,
Spain, in 1914, which expanded to include branches in Madrid and
Barcelona. The Spanish royal family and the aristocracy wore his
designs, but when the Spanish Civil War forced him to close his
stores, Balenciaga moved to Paris.
Balenciaga opened his Paris couture house on Avenue George V in
August 1937, and his first runway show featured designs heavily
influenced by the Spanish Renaissance. Balenciaga's success in
Paris was nearly immediate. Within two years, the French press
lauded him as a revolutionary, and his designs were highly sought-after.
Carmel Snow, the editor of Harper's Bazaar was an early champion
of his designs.
Customers risked their safety to travel to Europe during World
War II to see Balenciaga's clothing. During this period, he was
noted for his "square coat," with sleeves cut in a single
piece with the yoke, and for his designs with black (or black
and brown) lace over bright pink fabric.
