Balenciaga was founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1919 in San Sebastian, Spain. He was in his early 20s when he started the brand, making his success even more impressive. From the beginning, Balenciaga’s designs were characterized by their innovative and avant-garde approach. His unique vision and impeccable craftsmanship quickly garnered attention from the fashion industry.
In the 1930s, Balenciaga moved to Paris, the fashion capital of the world. This move marked a significant turning point for the brand, as Balenciaga’s designs began to gain international recognition. He became known for his architectural silhouettes, clean lines, and use of luxurious fabrics. Balenciaga’s creations were often characterized by their voluminous shapes, exaggerated proportions, and intricate detailing.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Balenciaga reached the height of its influence. The brand became synonymous with elegance and sophistication, attracting a loyal clientele of high-profile individuals, including royalty and Hollywood stars. Balenciaga’s designs were celebrated for their timeless appeal and ability to transcend trends. In 1968, Cristóbal Balenciaga decided to close his fashion house and retire. However, his legacy continued to inspire generations of designers. In 1986, the brand was revived under new ownership, and a new era for Balenciaga began.
Under the creative direction of Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga experienced a renaissance. Ghesquière brought a fresh and modern perspective to the brand, infusing it with a contemporary edge. His designs were characterized by their experimentation with materials, innovative cuts, and unexpected combinations. Balenciaga once again became a trendsetter and a favorite among fashion-forward individuals.
In 2012, Alexander Wang took over as the creative director of Balenciaga. Wang’s tenure further cemented the brand’s reputation for pushing boundaries and challenging conventions. His designs incorporated a mix of streetwear influences and couture techniques, creating a unique fusion of high fashion and urban aesthetics. In 2022, Balenciaga released a campaign featuring children holding teddy bears covered bondage harnesses. People found this to be extremely inappropriate and turned away from the brand. The brand lost almost all of their celebrity recognition, and the ones that continued to wear them on the carpet, faced immense hate. After six collections, the brand began to remend its reputation, but it’s unlikely that after all the scandal, the brand will ever return to its former glory.
Today, Balenciaga continues to evolve under the creative direction of Demna Gvasalia. The brand has continued to surprise the public with their bold designs, but many of them have not been received well by the public. Balenciaga, like any other brand, is no stranger to the occasional scandal, but over the last few years, the reputation of the brand has been declining. Their clothes went from intricate, beautiful designs, to the models walking the runway in trash bags and caution tape. While some people may call this artistic interpretation, others find it lazy and the opposite of high fashion.
