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| Photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson. © Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos |
In 1919 Cristobar Balenciaga, opened his first boutique, named Eisa - a shortening of his mother maiden name in San Sebastian. Little did he know that he was going to be the " the master of us all " as Christian Dior stated. He moved his House in 1937 in Paris at Avenue Georges V and quickly he became known all around, that his customers were risking their lifes during WW2 in order to see and buy his designs and unique pieces.
Balenciaga alone is a couturier in the truest sense of the word. Only he is capable of cutting material, assembling a creation and sewing it by hand, the others are simply fashion designers. - Coco Chanel
His spanish heritage, is shown in many of his iconic pieces that were exhibited in London in 2017 and now in Balenciaga Museum.
1. Left to right: Bolero Jacket for EISA ( 1947, Spain ) , Lace cape ( about 1960, Paris ).
2. Left to right: Evening dress and cape ( Irving Penn for Vogue, 1950 ) , Sack dress ( 1957 , Paris ).
3. Left to right: Babydoll evening dress ( 1957 , Paris ), The amazing "envelop dress" that is worn by
Alberta Tiburzi for Harpers Bazaar, ( June 1967 Paris ).
4. Coat designed by Cristobar Balenciaga and embroidered by Lesage ( 1961 , Paris ).
5. White Wedding dress. ( Paris ).
6. Another famous piece, the Balenciaga evening gown and chou ( french for cabbage ).
7. Orange coat ( 1959 , Paris )
Images by Vogue.com and vam.ac.uk