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Everything You Need to Know About Balenciaga

A model walking the runway for Balenciaga

Balenciaga is a high-end fashion house that was founded in Spain by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1919. The company is known for its luxury clothing, shoes, and handbags. While the brand’s prices can be expensive, their products are often considered "investments" due to their high quality and enduring style.

If you’re interested in learning more about Balenciaga, or considering purchasing something from the brand, then this post is for you. I’ll go over everything you need to know about Balenciaga, including their history, design philosophy, and most popular products. So whether you’re a longtime fan of the brand or just curious about what all the hype is about, keep reading!

Who was Cristobal Balenciaga?

Before starting his own brand, Cristobal Balenciaga was an apprentice to a Spanish tailor. He then moved to Paris to work for the House of Worth, where he gained invaluable experience in Haute Couture. In 1919, he returned to Spain and opened his first boutique in the city of Getxo. Balenciaga’s designs were immediately popular among the Spanish elite, and soon his reputation began to spread internationally.

In 1937, he debuted his first collection in Paris and quickly became one of the most sought-after designers in the city. His eponymous fashion house quickly gained a reputation for its modern, avant-garde designs.

What is Cristobal Balenciaga Known For?

Cristobal was best known for his innovative use of fabrics and silhouettes, as well as his unique ability to flatter a woman’s figure. He is credited with popularizing trends like the baby doll dress, the envelope clutch, and the sack dress. He was also one of the first designers to use non-traditional fabrics like PVC and nylon. 

Balenciaga had a reputation as a courtier with uncompromising standards, and his unique style combined elements of both couture and ready-to-wear, making his designs accessible to a wider audience.

What is Balenciaga’s Design Philosophy?

Balenciaga’s designs are characterized by clean lines, simple silhouettes, and a focus on quality construction. The brand relies on traditional methods of craftsmanship to create their garments, ensuring that each piece is made to the highest standards.

Balenciaga’s Signature Colors and Materials

Balenciaga’s signature colors are black, white, and gray. The brand often uses these colors in their handbags, shoes, and clothing. They also frequently use other neutral colors like beige and brown. Balenciaga is also known for their use of luxurious fabrics and attention to detail. As for materials, Balenciaga often uses leather, wool, and cashmere in their designs.

What Sets Balenciaga Designs Apart from Other Luxury Brands?

Dedication to Quality Craftsmanship

Balenciaga is unique amongst luxury brands in their commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Their garments are made using traditional methods of construction, and they use only the highest quality fabrics. This attention to detail ensures that Balenciaga’s products are built to last, making them a wise investment for any fashion-savvy shopper.

Balenciaga’s Target Market

Balenciaga’s target market is anyone who appreciates quality design and is willing to pay for it. The brand has a wide range of products, from everyday items like t-shirts and jeans to high-end pieces like dresses and gowns.

Unlike other luxury brands, usually adopted by men and women more established in their career and wealth, Balenciaga has managed to appeal to Millennials. The Balenciaga Triple S Sneaker, in particular, was designed to look like a "dad shoe" but released at a luxury price point of $850. It was a hit amongst fashion-savvy millennials who appreciated the design and were willing to pay for the quality.

Famous Balenciaga Designers

Demna Gvasalia

Gvasalia is the current Creative Director of Balenciaga. He was born in Georgia in 1981 and moved to Belgium to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. After graduation, he worked for a number of fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Maison Martin Margiela, and Vetements.

Demna is known for his experimental designs, and he has brought this approach to Balenciaga. Under his direction, the brand has released a number of innovative products, like the Balenciaga Triple S Sneaker and the Balenciaga Speed Trainer. He has also expanded the brand’s ready-to-wear offerings, making Balenciaga more accessible.

Alexander McQueen

McQueen was the designer at Balenciaga from 1997-2001. He was born in London in 1969 and studied at Central Saint Martins before working for a number of fashion houses including Givenchy.

McQueen’s time at Balenciaga was marked by controversy, as he often clashed with the brand’s founder, Cristobal Balenciaga. Despite this, McQueen’s designs for the brand were well-received and helped to solidify Balenciaga’s position as a leading luxury fashion house.

What are Balenciaga’s Most Popular Products?

Balenciaga Handbags

Balenciaga is perhaps best known for their luxury handbags, and their iconic "it" bags, which are often seen on the arms of celebrities and fashionistas. The brand’s most popular bag is the Classic City, a timeless style that has been updated with new colors and materials over the years. Other popular Balenciaga bags include the Bazar Shopper, the Arena Giant 12 Hobo, and the Motorcycle Bag.

Balenciaga Shoes

Balenciaga’s shoes are also highly coveted, and their selection includes everything from stilettos to sneakers. Sneakers, in particular, being a unique turning point for the brand as Balenciaga managed to popularize luxury sneakers at a time when the market was oversaturated with them. What fashionistas may have once referred to as "dad sneakers",  are now a must-have item thanks in large part to Balenciaga. Today Balenciaga sneakers are seen on celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid. Some of the brand’s most popular shoes include the Triple SSneaker, the Speed Trainer, and the Knife Boot.

Balenciaga Clothing

While Balenciaga is best known for their luxury handbags and shoes, they also have a wide selection of clothing that includes everything from dresses to jackets. Some of their most popular items include the Floral Jacquard Dress, the Leather Biker Jacket, and the Metallic Maxi Skirt.

In recent years, Balenciaga has expanded their product line to include beauty products, home goods, and even children’s clothing. The brand is looking to become a lifestyle brand that offers something for everyone.

The Bottom Line

Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house that is known for its modern, avant-garde designs. The brand’s garments are made using traditional methods of construction and only the highest quality fabrics. Balenciaga is also unique in their commitment to craftsmanship and quality, which sets their designs apart from other luxury brands. While their prices can be expensive , their clothing is designed to last for many years and often increases in value over time. Balenciaga is a wise investment for any fashion-savvy shopper.

So there you have it! If you’re interested in learning more about Balenciaga, or want to know what all the hype is about, then this post is for you. Thanks for reading!

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