Balenciaga and His Legacy


Book Description

Overzicht van de creaties uit de Texas fashion collectie van de Spaanse modeontwerper (1895-1972).




The Master of Us All


Book Description

A sparkling life of the monumental fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga When Cristóbal Balenciaga died in 1972, the news hit the front page of The New York Times. One of the most innovative and admired figures in the history of haute couture, Balenciaga was, said Schiaparelli, “the only designer who dares do what he likes.” He was, said Christian Dior,“the master of us all.” But despite his extraordinary impact, Balenciaga was a man hidden from view. Unlike today’s celebrity designers, he saw to it that little was known about him, to the point that some French journalists wondered if he existed at all. Even his most notable and devoted clients—Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, a clutch of Rothschilds—never met him. But one woman knew Balenciaga very well indeed. The first person he hired when he opened his Paris house (then furnished with only a table and a stool) was Florette Chelot, who became his top vendeuse—as much an adviser as a saleswoman. She witnessed the spectacular success of his first collection, and they worked closely for more than thirty years, until 1968, when Balenciaga abruptly closed his house without telling any of his staff. Youth-oriented fashion was taking over, Paris was in upheaval, and the elder statesman wanted no part of it. In The Master of Us All , Mary Blume tells the remarkable story of the man and his house through the eyes of the woman who knew him best. Intimate and revealing, this is an unprecedented portrait of a designer whose vision transformed an industry but whose story has never been told until now.




Standard Book of Balenciaga (english Version)


Book Description

Dive into the fascinating world of Balenciaga with the "Standard Book of Balenciaga," a captivating collection of key facts tracing the history and impact of this revolutionary fashion house.. This book is a celebration of timeless elegance, innovation, and the revolution brought by Cristóbal Balenciaga to the world of haute couture and luxury. Discover Balenciaga's humble beginnings in a small Spanish village and his rise to creating an empire synonymous with audacity and sophistication. From the reinvention of the feminine silhouette to avant-garde designs like the Triple S sneakers, each page unveils a unique aspect of Balenciaga's legacy. The "Standard Book of Balenciaga" is not just a tribute to the visionary founder but also an open window into a century of fashion, marked by Balenciaga's indelible impact. Ideal for haute couture enthusiasts, fashion history buffs, and anyone seeking to understand the influence of this iconic brand on modern culture. Embark on a journey through Balenciaga's history, where each fact reveals a facet of his genius and influence. This work is an essential read for those fascinated by luxury, the art of fashion, and the lasting legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga. Perfectly designed, this book is also an elegant decorative piece, ideal for enhancing the aesthetic of any luxurious setting.




Standard Book of Balenciaga (english Version)


Book Description

Dive into the fascinating world of Balenciaga with the "Standard Book of Balenciaga," a captivating collection of the most significant facts that trace the history and impact of this revolutionary fashion house. This book is a celebration of timeless elegance, innovation, and the revolution brought by Cristóbal Balenciaga to the world of haute couture and luxury. Discover Balenciaga's humble beginnings in a small Spanish village and his rise to creating an empire synonymous with audacity and sophistication. From the reinvention of the feminine silhouette to avant-garde creations like the Triple S sneakers, each page unveils a unique aspect of Balenciaga's legacy. The "Standard Book of Balenciaga" is not just a tribute to the visionary founder but also an open window into a century of fashion, marked by Balenciaga's indelible impact. Ideal for haute couture enthusiasts, fashion history buffs, and anyone seeking to understand the influence of this iconic brand on modern culture. Embark on a journey through Balenciaga's history, where each fact reveals a facet of his genius and influence. This work is an essential read for those who are fascinated by luxury, the art of fashion, and the lasting legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga. Perfectly designed, this book is also an elegant decorative piece, ideal for enhancing the aesthetic of any luxurious setting.




The Little Book of Balenciaga


Book Description

'Haute couture is like an orchestra, whose conductor is Balenciaga. We other couturiers are the musicians and we follow the direction he gives' - Christian Dior The godfather of conceptual design, a master of shape, a true fashion game changer – all are accolades bestowed upon one of the most interesting, venerated and iconic couturiers of the twentieth century: Cristóbal Balenciaga. His pureness of line, the comfort of his garments and innovative work with textiles, colour and volume made a huge impact on twentieth-century fashion, with creations such as the babydoll, balloon and sack dresses still influencing fashion today. Through stunning images and captivating text, Little Book of Balenciaga depicts the work and life of Balenciaga the couturier. Fashion historian Emmanuelle Dirix examines his legacy both through tracing the Maison's artistic direction after his death, and the generations of designers influenced by the master himself.




Balenciaga


Book Description

An undisputed master of haute couture from the 1930s through the 1960s, Cristobal Balenciaga's dresses, coats, and cloaks achieved the perfect expression of austere Spanish elegance in their form and folds, and attracted such clients as Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, and the Duchess of Windsor. This volume celebrates Balenciaga's taste for infinite simplicity: a combination of perfect cut, sumptuous fabric, and a subtle evocation of the abstract.




Cristóbal Balenciaga


Book Description

Today's global luxury brand Balenciaga owes its name and existence to one of the twentieth century's most innovative fashion designers, the internationally renowned Basque Cristobal Balenciaga. Miren Arzalluz's in-depth study reveals the roots of Balenciaga's Parisian success, unveiling his formative experiences and achievements in Spain against the backdrop of his social and cultural heritage. In extraordinary detail, this fascinating book examines how and where garments were made, and why some demonstrate the cutting edge of fashion while others may seem conservative. Arzalluz reveals the importance of family and friends, as well as patrons and employees in establishing Balenciaga's reputation and his sensitivity to the economic and political environment.




Balenciaga Paris


Book Description

This book explores two main periods in depth when Cristobal Balenciaga made his name during Paris's golden age of fashion from 1937-1968, and then charting the dramatic revival of the House of Balenciaga under Nicolas Ghesquiere, one of the most widely admired and celebrated new designers in contemporary fashion.




The World of Balenciaga


Book Description




Balenciaga in Black


Book Description

Cristobal Balenciaga's black couture dresses, capes, and coats delighted the society of his day as they changed the future of fashion. Here, lush new photography paired with archival images and sketches will delight readers in revealing the subtle tones and extraordinary detailing of the couturier's masterpieces in black. Balenciaga in Black explores the creative genius of Cristóbal Balenciaga, "the couturier's couturier"--the fashion designer revered by all other fashion designers. Black served as inspiration and guiding principal for the legendary dressmaker and provided a rich canvas for this extraordinary technician, allowing him to develop new textures and innovative shapes. To Balenciaga black was a vibrant material, alternately opaque or transparent, matte or shining, combined in sumptuous fabrics and undergirding the apparent simplicity of his cuts. Pierre Even's photography of Balenciaga's masterworks, produced specifically for this catalog, capture these subtle gradations in tone and lush details with contemporary precision. Fifty pieces from the Galliera Collection and the Balenciaga archives, including daywear, cocktail dresses or evening ensembles, lined in silk taffeta, fringed with satin ribbons, jet pearls, sequins, are revealed as never before. These contemporary photographs are presented alongside historical portfolios by legendary fashion photographers Richard Avedon, Henry Clarke, and Irving Penn to form three distinct sections: Balenciaga's volumes, interplay of black and light, and combinations of black with subtle colors. Balenciaga's specific materials and shapes are further illuminated by texts, sketches, and detailed captions.