Arpan Choudhary

A couturier must be: An architect for design, A sculptor for safe, A painter for color, A musician for harmony, and A philosopher for temperance Cristobal BalenciagaThe Balenciaga Spirit

Cristobal Balenciaga 1895: Cristobal Balenciaga is born in Getaria, Spain. 1919: Opens first boutique in San Sebastian, Spain. 1937: Opens couture house in Paris. First runway show features designs heavily influenced by the Spanish Renaissance. 1946-47: Launch of the Barrel-line and embroidered Boleros. Launches first perfume Le Dix. 1948-49: Opens the flagship Balenciaga store at 10, George V avenue, Paris. Creates second perfume Le Fuite de Heures. 1952: Launches his first boxy suite.

1953: Waist line drops to the hip, thus creating a new silhouette. Introduces the Spherical Balloon jacket. 1957: Introduces the Cocoon coat. 1958: Creation of the Baby Doll dress. Balenciaga awarded the Legion of Honour. 1959: Suits with higher waistline and shorter jackets presented. 1963: Launches a range of boots presented with his sports outfits. 1967: Introduction of increasingly pure and abstract forms. 1968: presents his last collection and retires from the fashion industry. 1972: Death of Cristobal Balenciaga in Javea, Spain.

Cristobal Balenciaga DNAElegance

Comfort

Pure

Abstract

Architectural

Fluidity

Inventive

After Cristobal Balenciaga 1978: Passage of the business to Hoechst. 1986: Later this finally to the Groupe Jacques Bogart. 1987: The group launches Balenciagas R-T-W line Le Dix. First collection designed by Michel Goma. 1992: Goma replaced by Dutch designer Joshepus Melchoir Themister, who begins the process of restoration of Balenciaga to an elite and high fashion status. 1995: Nicholas Ghesquire joins as designer for licensed products. 1997: Nicholas Ghesquire appointed the creative director of the mens wear and womens wear line. 2001: Gucci Group(PPR) acquires the House of Balenciaga.

Nicholas Ghesquire 2000: Honored the VH1 Avant Grade Designer of The Year 2001: Awarded the CFDA International Designer 2004: Launches the Mens R-T-W collection and the accessory line. 2004: Introduction of Balenciaga Edition, a collection of itens inspired by the Haute Couture archives of Cristobal Balenciaga. 2008: Receives the Insignes de Chevaliers de Arts et des Lettres.

Nicholas Ghesquire DNAFuturistic

Pure

Elegance

Abstract

Innovative

Charisma

Craftsmanship

The Year 2009 L-F/W&R-SS

Ghesquires Re-interpretation of Cristobal Balenciaga