Balenciaga

Brand
Fashion House

Founded in Paris in 1937 by Cristóbal Balenciaga, the house of Balenciaga was built upon its founder’s modern approach to femininity through the use of sculpture, shape and line. An innovator also in his use of fabrics, Balenciaga often used bold and substantial materials allowing him to form architectural shapes standing out from the body.

Following Balenciaga's death in 1972, the brand lay dormant until 1986 when Jacques Bogart S.A. acquired the rights to the name and opened a ready-to-wear line, called Le Dix. The first collection was designed by Michel Goma in October 1987. Goma was replaced in 1992 by Dutch designer Josephus Thimister. In 1997, Nicolas Ghesquière was appointed Head Designer, exploring modernity and femininity, often inspired by the intrinsic youth of street and subculture. 

The brand is now owned by the French multinational company Kering who, previously known as the Gucci Group, took a 91% share of the company in 2001.

On 5 November 2012, Balenciaga announced that it was parting with creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, ending his 15-year tenure. The brand announced Alexander Wang its new creative director. Wang presented his first collection for the label on 28 February 2013 at Paris Fashion Week. In 2015, Balenciaga and Wang announced they were parting ways, with the S/S 16 show as Wang's last. In October 2015, the brand announced Demna Gvasalia as its new creative director.

In January 2020, Balenciaga announced that it would show a couture collection in July for A/W 20, a gap of 52 years since the house's last couture show.

Founded in Paris in 1937 by Cristóbal Balenciaga, the house of Balenciaga was built upon its founder’s modern approach to femininity through the use of sculpture, shape and line. An innovator also in his use of fabrics, Balenciaga often used bold and substantial materials allowing him to form architectural shapes standing out from the body.

Following Balenciaga's death in 1972, the brand lay dormant until 1986 when Jacques Bogart S.A. acquired the rights to the name and opened a ready-to-wear line, called Le Dix. The first collection was designed by Michel Goma in October 1987. Goma was replaced in 1992 by Dutch designer Josephus Thimister. In 1997, Nicolas Ghesquière was appointed Head Designer, exploring modernity and femininity, often inspired by the intrinsic youth of street and subculture. 

The brand is now owned by the French multinational company Kering who, previously known as the Gucci Group, took a 91% share of the company in 2001.

On 5 November 2012, Balenciaga announced that it was parting with creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, ending his 15-year tenure. The brand announced Alexander Wang its new creative director. Wang presented his first collection for the label on 28 February 2013 at Paris Fashion Week. In 2015, Balenciaga and Wang announced they were parting ways, with the S/S 16 show as Wang's last. In October 2015, the brand announced Demna Gvasalia as its new creative director.

In January 2020, Balenciaga announced that it would show a couture collection in July for A/W 20, a gap of 52 years since the house's last couture show.

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