01 August 2011

B is for Balenciaga.

1895. Cristóbal Balenciaga Eizaguirre is born in Getaria (Gipuzkoa) on January 21.  Begins sewing alongside his mother, Martina Eizaguirre, who works as a seamstress for the Marquesa de Casa Torres and other well-heeled families in the area. The marquesa's exquisite taste and collection of dresses from the finest Paris and London fashion houses introduces young Cristóbal to the refined lifestyle of the European elite.

1907. Moves to San Sebastián and begins a period of tailoring apprenticeship at Casa Gómez and New England. In 1911 Balenciaga gains employment at Grandes Almacenes Au Louvre in San Sebastian and in only two years is named head of ladies' dressmaking. While working at Au Louvre, travels frequently to Paris and becomes familiar with the leading fashion houses in the international capital of fashion.  In 1914 moves to Bordeaux to work for a reputable tailor’s shop owned by friends.

1917. Opens his own house in San Sebastián at 2 Calle Vergara under the name C. Balenciaga. In 1918, forms partnership with San Sebastián merchants Benita and Daniela Lizaso, injecting new capital into the business; in 1919 formally registers business under the name Balenciaga y Compañía for a period of six years (beginning in January 1918).

1924. After the dissolution of Balenciaga y Compañía, sets up on his own at 2 Avenida de la Libertad under the name Cristóbal Balenciaga. Queen María Cristina and Infanta Isabel Alfonsa become clients of Cristóbal Balenciaga; other ladies of the Spanish royal family and court follow suit. In 1927, founds Eisa Costura, dedicated to traditional quality dressmaking, at 10 Calle Oquendo in San Sebastian.

1931. The proclamation of the Second Republic leads to exile by many of Balenciaga's most distinguished customers, and to a drastic decline in haute couture. In 1932, opens new dressmaking establishment called B. E. Costura in San Sebastian. In 1933, founds new establishment, EISA B. E.  Opens house in Madrid and Barcelona.

1936. Outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Balenciaga leaves the country and sets up in Paris.  Suspends regular activities at houses in San Sebastian, Madrid and Barcelona. In July, creates the firm BALENCIAGA in partnership with Nicolás Bizcarrondo and Wladzio d'Attainville.  On August 5, presents first haute couture collection at 10 Avenue George V in Paris.

1939. Presents a collection with deep historical influence and clear references to 17th-century fashion and styles of the Second French Empire. His “Infanta” dresses are an overwhelming success. Balenciaga’s 140s collections present features of traditional and historical Spanish fashion, mainly in his spectacular evening wear adorned with magnificent embroidery and passementerie.
1947. Presents the tonneau or barrel line, embarking on a period of experimenting with volume at the waist and back.  In 1951 Balenciaga opts again for fluidity and eschews the corseted silhouette in fashion since 1947.  Following the principles of the barrel line, he introduces the semi-fitted suit, characterised by volume at the back contrasted with fitted waist at the front.


1955. Balenciaga presents the tunic, a two-piece dress with straight, carefully crafted lines which envelopes the body without restricting motion. The tunic dress is followed in 1957 by the sack dress, another step in the sartorial evolution that began with the barrel line in 1947.

1958. Presents the baby doll dress, featuring a simple trapeze line and the peacock-tail dress, longer at the back than the front. The French Government awards Balenciaga the title of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, in recognition of services to the fashion industry.

1959. Tailored suits feature short jackets and high waists.  The Empire line is featured in evening wear. 

1960. Designs wedding dress for Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, granddaughter of the Marquesa de Casa Torres and future Queen of Belgium.

1963. Presents a range of elegant casual wear and surprises the public by launching the first line of haute couture boots designed by Mancini. Introduces increasingly purer and more abstract forms.

1968. Designs uniforms for Air France air hostesses. Presents last collection in spring, announces retirement and closes the houses in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastián. Balenciaga gives up haute couture after fifty years of dedication to his trade.
1972. Designs wedding dress for María del Carmen Martínez-Bordiú, Francisco Franco's granddaughter and future Duchess of Cadiz. 
Dies in Jávea (Alicante) on March 24 and is buried in the small cemetery in his hometown of Getaria.

Coco Chanel asserts "He is the only true couturier among us". Apart from that, Balenciaga teaches fashion design classes, inspiring other designers such as Oscar de la Renta, André Courrèges, Emanuel Ungaro, Mila Schön and Hubert de Givenchy. His work has been exposed in museums like the Metropolitan Museum in New York and, as culmination,  Balenciaga Museum opens in Guetaria on June 10, 2011. It is placed on a hilltop where the Marqués and Marquesa of Casa Torres lived. It features some 1,200 pieces.

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16 comments:

  1. Estas guapisima! que tal, te gusto? me han dicho que es una pasada! gracias x pasarte por mi blog guapa! te sigo :)
    mil besos desde
    http://thefourthcornerofstephanie.blogspot.com
    xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bueno nunca he sido una gran fan de Balenciaga.Pero es innegable la grandísima influencia que ha tenido sobre la moda.Y por supuesto me habría encantado visitar su museo!

    Podrías poner durante una época tu versión de la foto de cabecera.Molaría

    un beso

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hei! Thanks for your coment! I really like your blog!
    I follow you.

    Pink Ripped Tights

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice blog!
    London? I was there a few days ago.

    x

    Following!

    www.heddanynabb.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. gracias por pasarte!! genial blog te sigo ya mismo! xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. estas preciosa, me ha encantadoo el look, las gafas, las fotos... toodoo!

    besitos!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Me encantaría haber visto la exposición, lástima!
    La blusita q llevas es una monada.
    Bsitos

    ReplyDelete
  8. Me gusta Balenciaga, aunque creo que su legado no sigue presente, solo su nombre, aún así Nicolas Ghesquière esta haciendo un gran trabajo.

    Me encantaron tus gafas y gracias por pasarte por mi blog.

    Saludos
    C.A.

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  9. ¡Qué gafas y qué sandalias más bonitas, por Dios! Sobre todo las gafas, a mí fijo que me quedarían de culo -las gafas de cristales grandes me comen demasiado la cara- pero a ti, en serio, en favorecen un montón. Sin lamidas de culo ni nada, te lo digo de verdad.

    P.D: Nunca investigué demasiado sobre Balenciaga, por ver no vi ni uno de sus desfiles pero voy a cotillear ahora un poco por google para ver que encuentro y a ver si me gusta. Que con lo que la peña habla de él, malo no debe ser. Ignorancia la mía.

    P.D2: Yo la funda de mi BB la compré en unos chinos, así que... XDD

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  10. i never knew balenciaga before the famous it bag! love the pureness of the accessories and the fact that they have a signature mark! fabulous article because it don't know the designer! and i am so much in love with that gorgeous white blouse! how perfect

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  11. me encantan muchos de sus diseños, tu ibas monisima, que guay seguro que disfrutaste mucho de su museo! un besazo desde
    www.carolinagarciaipserandco.blogspot.com
    feliz miércoles :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. hello lovely !
    thanks for the comment, time flows here so I have barely time to come online !

    following you.

    new post on my blog so check out !
    xx

    Eranda

    www.dollhousescrapbook.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love your bag it is stunning
    x

    www.crystalvisionss.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. nice pictures it looks like a fun place to visit! those sandals you are wearing is so bling and adorable

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  15. Me encanta tu outfit, pero ese bolso, madre mía, me encanta jaja
    gracias por pasarte por mi blog :)
    te sigo ahora mismito!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete