FAQ About Balenciaga

Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house that was founded by Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917. Balenciaga began his career in fashion as a tailor's apprentice in his hometown of Getaria, Spain, before opening his first boutique in San Sebastian in 1917. He quickly gained a reputation for his innovative designs, and his clothing was soon being worn by Spanish royalty and wealthy elites.

In 1937, Balenciaga moved his fashion house to Paris, where he became one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. He was known for his sculptural, architectural designs, which emphasized volume and shape over embellishment and decoration. Balenciaga's designs were often described as "pared-down" and "minimalist," and he was famous for his use of innovative materials, such as synthetic fabrics and unusual combinations of textures.

After Cristóbal Balenciaga's death in 1972, the fashion house went through several changes of ownership and design direction. In 1997, the Gucci Group (now Kering) acquired Balenciaga, and in 2015, Demna Gvasalia was appointed creative director of the brand. Under Gvasalia's direction, Balenciaga has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of fashion, while also paying homage to the brand's rich history and legacy.