A key figure in modern fashion, Cristobal Balenciaga reinvented the silhouette of women in the mid-twentieth century with his purist take on garment construction. With the skill of an expert tailor, he was appreciated for his unconventional designs and acknowledged for both his knowledge of technique and construction as for his unflinching perfectionism
1895: Cristobal Baleciaga is Born in Guetaria (Basque Spain). His mother is a seamstress
1910: Thanks to the support of his family friend, Marquise Casa Torres, Cristobal is sent to Madrid to study tailoring
1915: Back from 5 years in the Capital, Balenciaga opens his first boutique in San Sébastian.
Among his early clients are the Royals of Spain and many aristocrats
1924: The company officially changes its name into Cristobal Balenciaga
1937: Forced to close down his boutique in Spain due to the Civil War, Balenciaga moves to Paris and opens up his fashion house. For his first runway shows, designs are strongly influenced by the Spanish Baroque
1940-45: Balenciaga success in Paris is huge. Customers risked their safety to travel to Europe during the war to see Balenciaga’s clothing: during this period, he was noted for his “square coat,” with sleeves cut in a single piece
1947: Balenciaga introduces his first parfum, Le Dix. It is named after the address of boutique on av. George V in Paris
1951: Balenciaga prefers linear and sleek patterns, against the popular hourglass shape that Christian Dior favoured
1953: The “Balloon Dress” was introduced and become a staple piece for Balenciaga’s work
1955: He designes the tunic dress, which later developed into the chemise dress of 1958
1957: The year that his original creations including the high-waisted babydoll dress, the cocoon coat and the sack dress. These important designs are significative of his new silhouette for women
1960: Balenciaga designs Princess Fabiola of Belgium’s wedding derss
1968: Cristobal Balenciaga suddenly closes his Maison in Paris. Reportedly, he felt there was no room in the modern world for his Couture
1972: The retired Cristobal Balenciaga dies in Spain
1986: Jacques Bogart S.A. acquires the rights of Balenciaga
1997: At the young age of 25, Nicholas Ghesquière is appointed head of the Fashion House Balenciaga
2000: Introduction of the handbags line, with the iconic City Bag
2001: Gucci Group (which is part of PPR since 1999) acquires Balenciaga
2002: Balenciaga debuts in Menswear, with FW 2002/03 Collection
2004: Creation of Balenciaga Edition, a line based on archive models from 1933 to 1968
2012, November: After 15 years, Nicolas Ghesquière leaves Balenciaga. Alexander Wang is appointed Creative Director of the Maison.
