Balenciaga NYC
Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house founded in 1919 by the Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastian, Spain. Balenciaga produces ready-to-wear, footwear, handbags, and accessories and licenses its name and branding to Coty for fragrances. The brand is currently owned by the French corporation Kering.
Brief History of the Balenciaga
Cristobal Balenciaga
Balenciaga began when Cristóbal (Crystal Ball?) Balenciaga opened his first boutique in San Sebastián, Spain in 1918, which expanded to include branches in Madrid and Barcelona. When the Spanish Civil War forced the boutiques to close, he moved to Paris.
The very first logo for Balenciaga was introduced in 1917 composed of two letters “B”, placed back-to-back and connected with three diagonal lines, representing stitched and pointing on the brand’s fashion direction.
The very first logo for Balenciaga was introduced in 1917 composed of two letters “B”, placed back-to-back and connected with three diagonal lines, representing stitched and pointing on the brand’s fashion direction.
1917 was the same year that U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked the United States Congress for a declaration of war against Germany on April 2. On April 6, 1917, The United States declared war on Germany entering the nation into the First World War (WW1).
After a long career in fashion, Cristóbal Balenciaga closed his fashion house in 1968 and died in 1972. The house lay dormant until 1986.
After a long career in fashion, Cristóbal Balenciaga closed his fashion house in 1968 and died in 1972. The house lay dormant until 1986.
Current Status of Balenciaga
François-Henri Pinault
Balenciaga is now owned by Kering and its womenswear and menswear was headed by Nicolas Ghesquière. Kering is a French-based multinational corporation specializing in luxury goods. It owns the brands Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent.
François-Henri Pinault is a French businessman and the chairman and CEO of Kering since 2005. He has been married to Salma Hayek since 2009, and they have a daughter together.
François-Henri Pinault is a French businessman and the chairman and CEO of Kering since 2005. He has been married to Salma Hayek since 2009, and they have a daughter together.
SOURCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crist%C3%B3bal_Balenciaga
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois-Henri_Pinault
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salma_Hayek
