Balenciaga

In 1919, Spanish Basque fashion designer Cristòbal Balenciaga first started the Balenciaga fashion house as a small boutique in San Sebastián, Spain. The designer had a reputation from the start for having high, and unwavering, standards. It was this commitment to impeccable design that elevated the Balenciaga name among his contemporaries. This steadfast attention to detail coupled with the founder’s forward-thinking approach to designs would both become hallmarks of the Balenciaga fashion house. As the company expanded, Balenciaga boutiques were opened in Santiago, Madrid, and Barcelona. The Balenciaga reputation had grown so much that the Spanish Royal Family began to wear the company’s designs. However, with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Cristòbal was forced to close his stores in Spain. He moved to Paris shortly afterward. In Paris, Balenciaga opened a store on the posh Avenue George V. It was 1937, and the designer had his first runway show, which was steeped in references to the Spanish Renaissance. The collection was an overnight success, with the French Press raving about the new designer who had just recently arrived from Spain. They called Balenciaga’s designs revolutionary, with public demand increasing as a result. One of the popular Balenciaga creations of this time was the brand’s signature “square coat,” in which the coat’s sleeves were cut along with the yoke. During the post-War years, Balenciaga’s designs had cleaner, more defined lines — in stark contrast to the feminine hourglass shapes presented by Christian Dior and other designers of the time. The shapes created by Balenciaga enabled him to play with the design and its relation to a woman’s natural body shape — for example, a waistline would be dropped below or placed above a woman’s natural waistline, adding visual interest and creating an ever-changing silhouette. By the 1950s, Balenciaga would turn the traditional hourglass shape on its ear by playing with more modern shapes. His innovative designs spawned creations like the tunic dress (1951), the balloon jacket (1953), the baby doll dress, (1957), the cocoon dress (1957), the balloon skirt (1957), and the sack dress (1957). By 1959, Balenciaga would finish off the decade with his creation of the empire line, an elevated waistline used on Balenciaga dresses and coats. This new cut would further modernize women’s fashion just in time for the new era. The Balenciaga designs of the 1960s incorporated a lot of embroidery work and heavy fabrics. The brand became known for their heavy collar design that accentuated the collarbone, giving the wearer a long-necked and “swan-like” appearance. This design also included shortened cuffs and sleeves. By the mid-1980s, luxury perfume and toiletries manufacturer Jacques Bogart S.A. purchased Balenciaga and released a new ready-to-wear line called “Le Dix.” Designed by French designer Michel Goma, the new Balenciaga line received mixed reviews. Goma would continue designing for Balenciaga for five more years. In 1992, Goma’s successor, Dutch designer Josephus Thimister, would join the ranks of the company and would be responsible for reversing the brand’s increasingly irrelevant status in the fashion world, turning it into one of the most powerful fashion houses of the time. The young French designer Nicolas Ghesquière would join Balenciaga as license designer around this same time as Thimister. Ghesquière was promoted to head designer of the fashion house not long after, in 1997. He remained in this position until 2012, when the company announced that American fashion designer Alexander Wang would take over the role as Balenciaga’s new creative director. The young designer released his debut collection for the brand at Paris Fashion Week in February of 2013; the line was celebrated for its unusual materials and its intricate craftsmanship. Today, the Balenciaga name continues to be associated with a classy, yet avant-garde approach to fashion. In particular, Balenciaga handbags, with their super sleek design, have been at the forefront of the brand’s success in recent years.
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BALENCIAGA Fabric Mesh Triple S Sneakers 40 White Fluo YellowCompany Product

Balenciaga

Fabric Mesh Triple S Sneakers 40 White Fluo Yellow

Condition: Excellent

$350

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Le Cagole Mini Heart Bag Sweet PinkCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Le Cagole Mini Heart Bag Sweet Pink

Condition: Excellent

$1,150

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware Weekender Cyclamen FucsiaCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware Weekender Cyclamen Fucsia

Condition: Very Good

$635

BALENCIAGA Sparkling Fabric Small XX Flap Bag Sweet PinkCompany Product

Balenciaga

Sparkling Fabric Small XX Flap Bag Sweet Pink

Condition: Excellent

$560

BALENCIAGA Mesh Rubber Mens Runner Sneakers 41 Black WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Mesh Rubber Mens Runner Sneakers 41 Black White

Condition: Very Good

$550

BALENCIAGA Baby Daim Suede Classic Silver Hardware City BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Baby Daim Suede Classic Silver Hardware City Black

Condition: Very Good

$635

BALENCIAGA Calfskin S Triangle Duffle WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Calfskin S Triangle Duffle White

Condition: Very Good

$850

BALENCIAGA Nylon Sports Small Messenger Black WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Nylon Sports Small Messenger Black White

Condition: Excellent

$480

BALENCIAGA Calfskin Glove 80mm Ankle Boots 37 WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Calfskin Glove 80mm Ankle Boots 37 White

Condition: Very Good

$635

BALENCIAGA Grained Calfskin M Ville Top Handle Bag GreenCompany Product

Balenciaga

Grained Calfskin M Ville Top Handle Bag Green

Condition: Very Good

$1,280

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware Mini City TangerineCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware Mini City Tangerine

Condition: Very Good

$625

BALENCIAGA Rubber Womens Chunky Slide Sandals 40 Green AquaCompany Product

Balenciaga

Rubber Womens Chunky Slide Sandals 40 Green Aqua

Condition: Excellent

$405

BALENCIAGA Chevre Gold Metallic Edge Hardware Mini City WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Chevre Gold Metallic Edge Hardware Mini City White

Condition: Very Good

$1,385

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware Mini City Rose JaipurCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware Mini City Rose Jaipur

Condition: Very Good

$635

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,385

BALENCIAGA Crushed Calfskin Quilted Small Crush Chain Bag BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Crushed Calfskin Quilted Small Crush Chain Bag Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,765

BALENCIAGA Smooth Nappa Scrunch Knife 80mm Pumps 36 BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Smooth Nappa Scrunch Knife 80mm Pumps 36 Black

Condition: Excellent

$530

BALENCIAGA Glazed Elaphe Papier A4 Tote BlueCompany Product

Balenciaga

Glazed Elaphe Papier A4 Tote Blue

Condition: Very Good

$635

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Vivid GreenCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Vivid Green

Condition: Very Good

$960

BALENCIAGA Mesh Nylon Womens Track Sneakers 41 PinkCompany Product

Balenciaga

Mesh Nylon Womens Track Sneakers 41 Pink

Condition: Excellent

$720

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware City BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware City Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,015

BALENCIAGA Pebbled Calfskin XS Everyday North South Tote BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Pebbled Calfskin XS Everyday North South Tote Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,015

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware City BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware City Black

Condition: Excellent

$960

BALENCIAGA Peach Calfskin Small BB Soft Flap Bag Sweet PinkCompany Product

Balenciaga

Peach Calfskin Small BB Soft Flap Bag Sweet Pink

Condition: Excellent

$1,255

BALENCIAGA Agneau Giant 12 Silver Hardware City Bleu ObscurCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Giant 12 Silver Hardware City Bleu Obscur

Condition: Very Good

$850

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Neo Cagole City BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Neo Cagole City Black

Condition: Very Good

$1,815

BALENCIAGA Strass Suede Hourglass Top Handle Bag XS Black JetCompany Product

Balenciaga

Strass Suede Hourglass Top Handle Bag XS Black Jet

Condition: Excellent

$3,525

BALENCIAGA Metallic Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS GoldCompany Product

Balenciaga

Metallic Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Gold

Condition: Very Good

$1,385

BALENCIAGA Patchwork Sunday Tote PM ToteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Patchwork Sunday Tote PM Tote

Condition: Very Good

$745

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware First TempeteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware First Tempete

Condition: Very Good

$635

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Optic WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Optic White

Condition: Very Good

$1,170

BALENCIAGA Agneau S Blanket Square Tote BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau S Blanket Square Tote Black

Condition: Very Good

$560

BALENCIAGA Mesh Nylon Mesh Womens Track Sneakers 37 Full BeigeCompany Product

Balenciaga

Mesh Nylon Mesh Womens Track Sneakers 37 Full Beige

Condition: Very Good

$455

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware City BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware City Black

Condition: Very Good

$850

BALENCIAGA Chevre Silver Metallic Edge Hardware City BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Chevre Silver Metallic Edge Hardware City Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,445

BALENCIAGA Veau Amp Plate Gold Hardware City Beige ArgileCompany Product

Balenciaga

Veau Amp Plate Gold Hardware City Beige Argile

Condition: Very Good

$895

BALENCIAGA Rubber Logo Pool Slide Sandals 37 BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Rubber Logo Pool Slide Sandals 37 Black

Condition: Very Good

$240

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Le Cagole Card Holder Vivid GreenCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Le Cagole Card Holder Vivid Green

Condition: Giftable

$315

BALENCIAGA Calfskin Allover Logo XS Bazar Shopper Tote BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Calfskin Allover Logo XS Bazar Shopper Tote Black

Condition: Very Good

$865

BALENCIAGA Veau Papier A6 Zip Around Tote BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Veau Papier A6 Zip Around Tote Black

Condition: Very Good

$715

BALENCIAGA Grained Calfskin Logo Cash Card Holder Black WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Grained Calfskin Logo Cash Card Holder Black White

Condition: Excellent

$210

BALENCIAGA Rubber Logo Womens Pool Slide Sandals 35 Blue BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Rubber Logo Womens Pool Slide Sandals 35 Blue Black

Condition: Excellent

$125

BALENCIAGA Mesh Large Duty Free Tote Fuchsia WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Mesh Large Duty Free Tote Fuchsia White

Condition: Excellent

$850

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Le Cagole Mini Purse With Chain LilacCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Le Cagole Mini Purse With Chain Lilac

Condition: Very Good

$1,045

BALENCIAGA Calfskin XS Everyday Tote BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Calfskin XS Everyday Tote Black

Condition: Very Good

$850

BALENCIAGA Ruffled Jersey Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Fluo PinkCompany Product

Balenciaga

Ruffled Jersey Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Fluo Pink

Condition: Excellent

$995

BALENCIAGA Sparkling Fabric Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS SilverCompany Product

Balenciaga

Sparkling Fabric Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Silver

Condition: Excellent

$1,550

BALENCIAGA Agneau Giant 21 Rose Gold Hardware City AnthraciteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Giant 21 Rose Gold Hardware City Anthracite

Condition: Very Good

$1,045

BALENCIAGA Calfskin Logo XS Everyday Camera Bag BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Calfskin Logo XS Everyday Camera Bag Black

Condition: Very Good

$510

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware S City Logo Strap Black WhiteCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware S City Logo Strap Black White

Condition: Very Good

$1,095

BALENCIAGA Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS BlackCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Arena Le Cagole Shoulder Bag XS Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,675

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware Weekender CyprusCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware Weekender Cyprus

Condition: Very Good

$670

BALENCIAGA Straw Calfskin Bistrot Panier Small Tote NaturalCompany Product

Balenciaga

Straw Calfskin Bistrot Panier Small Tote Natural

Condition: Very Good

$395

BALENCIAGA Agneau Classic Hardware Town Rose ThulianCompany Product

Balenciaga

Agneau Classic Hardware Town Rose Thulian

Condition: Very Good

$455

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