The Great Fashion Designer Who Was Cristobal Balenciaga
On July 14, 2010 in Fashion
Dubbed the ‘couturiers’ couturier’, Cristobal Balenciaga was one of the most highly respected haute couture designers of all time. A prolific designer, whose career spanned a period of over 35 years, he is credited with creating every major fashion silhouette during that time. His big and tall mens clothing fashions appeared regularly on the front pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines.
Having trained as a tailor in San Sebastian, Spain, Balenciaga was able to apply his skill in creating simple, elegant and sophisticated forms of big mens clothing. His greatest talent was an ability to mould garments into sculptural shapes. He also elaborately beaded or embroidered the surface of his fabrics, so that the sumptuous fabrics were highlighted by magnificent surface textures, an art that welcomed revival following the depression years.
Balenciaga opened his Paris salon on Avenue George V in August, 1937, just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. It is, perhaps, for this reason that he is better known for his late 1940s and 1950s work. His clientele included the rich and famous, as well as members of royalty. Among them were Pauline de Rothschild, Mona von Bismarck and Jackie Kennedy. His favourite models were ‘Colette’ and ‘Bettina, middle-aged brunettes whose figures and coloring were similar to those of his best clients. Balenciaga’s astute business acumen and his genius for exquisite design ensured a very successful couturier career.