Designer Balenciaga: Who is behind this brand?

Cristóbal Balenciaga, born in 1895 in Getaria, Spain, was the founder of the prestigious brand that bears his surname. In his day, he was known for his exceptional tailoring skills, a gift for which he earned the respect and admiration of iconic figures of haute couture and the fashion world such as Christian Dior and Coco Chanel.

After his death in 1972, the firm has been in the hands of several talented designers, each contributing their own vision while striving to maintain Balenciaga's legacy of excellence. In this way, over the last century and a half, the textile firm that began life in a small village in northern Spain has become a global symbol of luxury and innovation in the design of clothing, footwear and accessories.

Who is the designer of the Balenciaga brand?

Balenciaga's evolution from its roots in Spain to become a pillar of luxury fashion around the world has been dizzying. Following the death of Cristóbal Balenciaga, the brand has grown through a series of creative designers who have not only respected his legacy of innovation and excellence, but also expanded it to cross all kinds of frontiers with their high-end creations.

Currently, the designer at the helm of Balenciaga is Demna Gvasalia, a 42-year-old Georgian trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, one of the most prestigious design schools in the world. Gvasalia, known for his bold, avant-garde style, has been Balenciaga's creative director since 2015, when he succeeded a figure of Alexander Wang's influence.

Under his direction, Balenciaga has continued to explore the boundaries of fashion, blending haute couture with street art influences, but always remaining highly relevant in the ever-changing world of fashion.

Gvasalia's ability to reinterpret Balenciaga's legacy, injecting it with his own groundbreaking DNA, has been instrumental in not only establishing the brand as one of the most respected on the international scene, but also in attracting new generations to a concept that seemed far removed from them.

What made Balenciaga famous?

Balenciaga acquired a well-deserved fame for its contribution to the innovation of women's fashion in the 20th century. Cristóbal Balenciaga knew how to capture like no one else in his designs not only his skill, but also some ideas that he knew how to capture to perfection in each and every one of his designs. From the very beginning, Balenciaga stood out for the creation of unique silhouettes and very personal styles that defied the norms of the time, such as the tunic dress, the cocoon coat and the balloon skirt.

His ability to manipulate the shape and space around the female body made him known as "the architect of fashion", and he was also a pioneer in the use of new materials and techniques, which allowed him to create designs that were half dress, half art, and always technically advanced compared to his competitors.

The brand therefore quickly became synonymous with luxury, elegance and intelligence, attracting an elite clientele that included royalty as well as all manner of national and international celebrities. This combination of innovation and exclusivity, but also craftsmanship, is what has kept Balenciaga at the pinnacle of fashion for decades, as our Fashion Design Degree students will be well aware.

What makes Balenciaga stand out?

Balenciaga is not just a fashion brand, but has become an emblem of innovation and constant surprise in the world of design. From its beginnings to the present day, Balenciaga has stood out for several key characteristics that define its identity and that have not only been maintained throughout its history, but have also continued to be enhanced to distinguish it in the world of haute couture and ready-to-wear.

• Balenciaga is famous for transforming the female silhouette like no other brand, moving away from traditional shapes and experimenting with fluid lines and unusual structures.
• The brand has been and continues to be a pioneer in the use of innovative materials and avant-garde techniques, allowing it to create unique, high-quality pieces that make it a true design laboratory.
• Under the direction of Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga has successfully combined haute couture with elements of streetwear, creating a distinctive, contemporary style that every fashionista wants to flaunt.
• Despite revolving around the world of luxury, Balenciaga does not compromise on comfort and practicality, integrating these elements into its sophisticated designs, which are always pleasant to wear.
• The textile company is known for its risk-taking and sometimes even provocative approach, challenging the norms and expectations of traditional fashion to create new trends and to always be at the forefront.

These characteristics have established Balenciaga as a fashion brand that not only follows trends, but creates them. This, together with excellent marketing and communication strategies, which we will be looking at in depth in the classes of our Degree in Fashion Management and Communication, allows the firm to continue to remain at the forefront of today's fashion world.

In fact, the premiere in January 2024 of the series 'Cristóbal Balenciaga' on Disney+, not only demonstrates how important the brand is today, but will allow our students to discover the context in which the expert hands of the couturier, played by the actor Alberto San Juan, were able to carve out a name that still resonates strongly in international haute couture.