Fashion house Balenciaga is one of the earliest established fashion brands with a high prestigious name and worldly recognition next to the likes of Chanel, Dior and Givenchy.  

Founder and designer Cristobal Balenciaga opened his first boutique in Spain and was quickly a favourite amongst the Spanish royal family. His masterful designs and beautiful recreation of timeless gowns built a strong foundation to the company’s name in which later years he opened two more customary couture stores in Madrid and Barcelona.  

The success of his couture has hailed him ‘The Couturier of Couturiers’, he went on launching his very famous fragrance ‘Le Dix’ which was a favourites of Coco Chanel. During the Spanish civil war, he was forced to close all three of his boutiques and moved to London to start off fresh. Soon later he moved to Paris where he re opened his fashion house Balenciaga and was immediately a success which he decided to re open his two other stores.  

Most of Cristobal Balenciaga inspiration came from the Spanish renaissance theatre era which consisted of funnel hooped gowns, flamboyant fabric that depicts a high class society wear in which relates to history. Cristobal’s designs were innovative and introduced a new silhouette to the women’s body.  

Cristobal was highly popular his designs were seen as respectable and trendy. He introduced some of the present day most popular fashion loves, such as the ‘square coat’, the tunic dress, which later evolved to the chemise dress, the balloon skirt, high wrist baby doll dress and sack dress. We should salute Balenciaga for innovative designs that is timeless in the fashion house and is the meaning behind the term ‘vintage’.  

After Cristobal retired the house was bought by Gucci Group in 2001 and made Nicolas Ghesquière creative director who is now recreating the influences of Balenciaga’s former days.  

Still today Ghesquière has a lot to measure up to continue the name and influences that Cristobal has created for the label. Ghesquière has certainly achieved this when he was named ‘Global studies’ by Teen Vogue showing his fall/winter collection of modern trends. The success brought in sales showing marginal profit which was something that Ghesquière was concern about.  

Following the renowned perfume, Balenciaga released its signature handbag the ‘Lariat’ which was motor cycle leather inspired attracted celebrities like Nicky Hilton and Nicole Richie to the range.   

Not only was Ghesquière’ designs were seen as a profitable success but also loved by celebrities like Jennifer Connelly and Nicole Kidman. Connelly is now the face of the spring collection of Balenciaga which is seen as futuristic flora Spanish influenced. Kidman wore the unforgettable red dress with a giant neck bow which becomes a train to the dress and wore Balenciaga as her wedding dress to Ketih Urban. Another Aussie who adores Balenciaga is Kylie Minogue sporting as costumes in her shows.

Today the house of Balenciaga creates more ready-to-wear style along with shoes and accessories.