Although it was founded over 100 years ago, Balenciaga is still one of the most covetable fashion houses in the world.
Cristóbal Balenciaga, described as 'fashion's Picasso' and 'the master', had opened his first haute couture atelier in Saint Sebastián in 1917, and soon also in Madrid and Barcelona. In his designs, he drew on the working-class attire - relaxed-fit fishing shirts, hats and works by Spanish Renaissance painters. His creations were worn by the Spanish royal family.
He was internationally recognized after the opening of his first Parisian atelier. He had fled to Paris from the 1937 Civil War.
Distinguished by impeccable cuts, sculptural, architectural forms and refined lines, Cristóbal was a fan of colour. He also created hairstyles for his models. 'A couturier must be an architect for design, a sculptor for shape, a painter for colour, a musician for harmony, and a philosopher for temperance.' - he said about his work. His talent wasn't tarnished even by World War II. His admirers risked their lives to experience wearing stunning designs. Balenciaga's marvellous fashion gave people hope.
His career thrived in the 1950s and 1960s. He created silhouettes and details that were innovative and bold for those times - puffed sleeves, bomb skirts and elevated shoulders, which women love to this day.
Despite rapid growth and justifiable admiration, Cristóbal Balenciaga decided to shut down his business in 1968. It was reactivated in 1986 after his death by Jacques Bogart S.A. which bought the rights to the company. The first reviews of their collections were rather pejorative. Balenciaga's fate changed in 1997 when Nicolas Ghesquiere was appointed the creative director. Famous for an avant-garde taste, he stayed at the creative helm until 2012 when he was replaced by Alexander Wang - a talented aficionado of raw minimalism. Since 2015, this position has been held by a Georgian designer, Demna Gvasalia. He largely contributed to the fact that Balenciaga is one of the most talked-about brands in the world today.
The oversize and unisex designs of the fashion house are mainly associated with streetwear yet the creative director ambitiously derives inspiration from the brand's initial projects and Cristóbal's ideas. The iconic Triple S, Track or Speed sneakers, as well as Hourglass bags, are some of many fans' favourites.
As of today, Kering, a French-based multinational corporation specializing in luxury goods owns Balenciaga. Balenciaga store is located in VITKAC Department Store on two levels. The boutique has been arranged in a way to capture the spirit of the brand that is adored all over the world. Kept in a minimalistic, austere aesthetic, two levels (0 and -1) boast a lavish selection of clothing and red-hot models of shoes and bags. The whole offer is available also online, on vitkac.com.
