His often spare, sculptural creations-including funnel-shape gowns of stiff duchess satin worn to acclaim by clients such as Pauline de Rothschild, Bunny Mellon, Marella Agnelli, Hope Portocarrero, Gloria Guinness, and Mona von Bismarck-were considered masterworks of haute couture in the 1950s and 1960s. His trademarks included "collars that stood away from the collarbone to give a swanlike appearance" and shortened "bracelet" sleeves. In the 1960s, Balenciaga was an innovator in his use of fabrics: he tended toward heavy fabrics, intricate embroidery, and bold materials. His manipulation of the waist, in particular, contributed to "what is considered to be his most important contribution to the world of fashion: a new silhouette for women." In 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with high-waisted dresses and coats cut like kimono. Other contributions in the postwar era included the spherical balloon jacket (1953), the high-waisted baby doll dress (1957), the cocoon coat (1957), the balloon skirt (1957), and the sack dress (1957). In 1955, he designed the tunic dress, which later developed into the chemise dress of 1958. In 1951, he transformed the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. The fluidity of his silhouettes enabled him to manipulate the relationship between his clothing and women's bodies. His lines became more linear and sleek, diverging from the hourglass shape popularized by " Christian Dior's New Look". However, it was not until the post-war years that the full scale of the inventiveness of this highly original designer became evident. However, Balenciaga testified that he refused Hitler's request to transfer his company's activities to Berlin. The company was one of only 60 companies allowed to operate during the occupation, and the ongoing supply of raw materials from Spain, which were in short supply in Paris at the time due to the war, gave Balenciaga a competitive advantage. Historians believe that Balenciaga's continued activity during the Nazi occupation of Paris was made possible by Balenciaga's connections with Adolf Hitler's close ally, General Francisco Franco. During this period, he was noted for his "square coat", with sleeves cut in a single piece with the yoke, and for his designs with black (or black and brown) lace over bright pink fabric. Ĭustomers risked their safety to travel to Europe during World War II to see Balenciaga's clothing. Carmel Snow, the editor of Harper's Bazaar, was an early champion of his designs. In the period of two years, the press lauded him as a revolutionary, and his designs were highly sought-after. Balenciaga's success was nearly immediate. īalenciaga opened his Paris couture house on Avenue George V in August 1937, where his first fashion show featured designs heavily influenced by the Spanish Renaissance. When the Spanish Civil War forced him to close his stores, Balenciaga moved to Paris. The Spanish royal family and the aristocracy wore his designs. *Please note Klarna is not offered as payment option for Pre-Orders.Balenciaga dresses on display in Florence, ItalyĬristóbal Balenciaga opened his first boutique in San Sebastián, Spain, in 1919, and expanded to include branches in Madrid and Barcelona. Klarna offers 3 flexible payment options with no additional cost, upon your preference :ġ) Pay now : Pay the entire amount instantly, either via online banking or direct debit.Ģ) Pay in 30 days : Payment will be processed once the order has been delivered.ģ) Pay in installments: Payment will be processed in 3 or 4 installments. Please note PayPal is not offered as payment option for Pre Orders. To register for a PayPal account, visit the website. Your account will be charged once the articles are shipped. PayPal : Shop easily online without having to enter your credit card details on the website. features a Fast Checkout option, allowing you to securely save your credit card details so that you do not have to re-enter them for future purchases. The amount will be charged to your card once the articles are shipped. accepts the following payment methods :Ĭredit Card : Visa, MasterCard, American Express.
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