History of Cristobal Balenciaga

 Cristobal Balenciaga was a Spanish Basque fashion designer who's first customer was the Aquessa de Casa Torres, a noblewoman in his hometown. Balenciaga was trained in Madrid and was known as one of the few designers who could design, cut, and sew his own creations. His first haute couture house was founded in 1918 in San Sebastian, Spain. The Spanish royal family wore his designs and his success spread. His success was so great that he opened a second house in Madrid and a third in Barcelona. When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Balenciaga moved his stores, in August of 1937, to Avenue George V in Paris. His fame spread throughout Paris, where he was known as 'the couturier of couturiers' and referred to as a 'master' by Christian Dior. This address became the home of Balenciaga's design house and remains in Paris today. In fact, in 1946, the House of Balenciaga debuted its first perfumed, titled 'Le Dix,' after its Parisian address. Balenciaga's success continued as 'Le Dix' soon rivaled the success of Coco Chanel's perfumes.

 During the post-war years, Balenciaga completely transformed the traditional silhouette of female fashion by broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. He designed the first tunic dress, the chemise dress and the empire dress. His creations were considered the high point of 1950s and 60s haute couture. However, in 1968, Balenciaga closed his couture house as a result of disillusionment with the new pr?t-a-porter, or ready to wear, fashions that were being introduced into French culture. After closing his couture house, Balenciaga taught design classes, inspiring the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Hubert de Givenchy.

 Cristobal died in 1972 at his home in Spain. After his death, the control of the House of Balenciaga went to his nephews and passed onto Hoescht in 1978. The Groupe Jacques Bogart took control of the Balenciaga business in 1986. Designer Nicholas Ghesquiere was hired in 1995 as designer for licensed products activity. By 1997, Ghesquierre had become creative director of both the ready to wear and accessories collections. Gucci Group, with Ghesquiere as creative director, took over the House of Balenciaga in 2001. Today, the House of Balenciaga is working towards regaining the success of its heyday by designing ready to wear fashions for both men and women, along with shoes and accessories, sold worldwide.