Balenciaga

Cristóbal  Balenciaga was born in Guetaria, in the country of the Spanish Basques, in 1895.

In 1919 he opens his first Fashion House in San Sebastian.

He opens the second House in Madrid in 1933 and in the same year — one more in Barcelona.

In 1937 he appears in Paris where opens the Fashion House on George's avenue of 5th, in the house number 10 and represents the first collection. The fast success has followed thanks to a numerous press which watched closely this growing success.

In 1946-47 starts the line and creates the first perfume called Le Dix.

In 1948-49 opens the first shop on George's avenue of 5th, in the house number 10, in the same place, where is also the Fashion House.

In 1950 creates the second perfume La Fuite des Heures.

In 1952 — creation of a mobile, comfortable line. Start of the first jumpsuits for boxers.

In 1953 creates narrow and overestimated "waist" which transforms a silhouette.

In 1955 — creation of the third perfume Quadrille.

In 1957 — variations with a shirt-dress and tuniques that became revolution in the fashion world.

In 1958 — creation of  baby doll dresses, and also opening tissue called gazar. In the same year he is awarded by the award Honor Legion.

In 1959 suits are presented with short jackets and the overestimated waist.

In 1961-62 — a collection with evening dresses and shaking underwear.

In 1963 — starts the whole line of footwear. In 1967 — representation of faultless and abstract forms.

In 1968 creates a uniform for stewardesses of airline "Air France". In the same year he represents the last collection. After 30 years of work in Paris he decides to retire to Spain.

On March, 24th, 1972 Cristóbal  Balenciaga dies in Spanish Javea.

Nicolas Ghesquiere was born in 1971.

In October, 1997 represents the first collection of ready-to-wear clothes for Balenciaga.

In October, 2000 he receives the VH1 channel award as the vanguard designer of the year.

In June, 2001 he receives the CFDA award as the best international designer.

In July, 2001 — acquisition of the brand Balenciaga by the Gucci group.

In 2003 the Balenciaga shop, created in cooperation with Dominique Gonzalez-Forster, opens in New York, in 22nd street and in Paris on George's avenue of 5th.

In 2005 the first shop in Asia opens in Hong Kong. Some shops open in shopping centers: "Harrods" in London and "Galleria" in Seoul.

In January, 2006 the Balenciaga concept shop opens in "Hilton Shopping Mall" in Singapore.

Since July, 2006 till January, 2007 the important exhibition is opened in Museum of fashion and textile. Nicolas Ghesquiere acts as the curator of the exhibition.