"The master of us all"

In this way Christian Dior refers to Cristobal Balenciaga, expressing his deep admiration for "the couturier of couturiers" work.
Last days I've read a lot about his life and activity. I found out interesting things that I would like to share with you as a relaxing september story.
Born in Guetaria, a small fishing village from Basque Country Balenciaga showed from early childhood his interest for design and fashion. His talent was observed by Marquise of Casa Torres who sends him to be professionally tailored in Madrid.

Comes back and in his early 20s opens his first boutique in San Sebastian followed by two branches in Madrid and Barcelona. He had success. Spanish royal family and the aristocracy became his day by day clients.
Unfortunately in 1936 because of the Spanish Civil War C. Balenciaga is forced to leave Spain and to go in France.
In 1937, at 42 years Cristobal inaugurates Balenciaga House on Avenue George V, Paris. His recognition and success came almost immediately. Despite 2nd World War his clients came from Europe, risking their own safety to see and buy his unique creations.
This period was a good one. Balenciaga creates his first perfume, called “Le Dix” and shows to the world his “square coat”. Still wasn’t his period of glory. This came at the beginning of 1950 and lasts until mid 1960s.
In 1951 Balenciaga totally transformed women silhouette by broadening the shoulders and removing the waist.
In 1955 he creates the tunic dress that later becomes chemise dress followed by balloon skirt, sack dress, spherical balloon jacket or baby doll dress.
The year 1959 culminates with his Empire Line through Balenciaga offers high-waisted dressed and jackets cut like kimonos. In this 10 years period he had as clients the best dressed women of the world as Queen Fabiola of Belgium or Jackie Kennedy.
The story ends in 1968 when Balenciaga closes the House and retires. 4 years later he dies.
Nowadays, Balenciaga House is under French PPR (Pierot-Printemps-Redoute) Group. Its run by Nicolas Ghesquiere, french designer, considered by Times magazine in the top “100 most influential people from the world” in 2006.
Anyway, Balenciaga brand is famous these days for “Lariat” – motorcycle inspired handbags which are proffered by most of American starlets.
p.s. Still, I’m sure Balenciaga spirit will never die. He will remain one of the few ‘fashion artists’ who were able to design, cut and sew an outfit with his own hands.