Cristóbal Balenciaga, born in 1895 in Getaria, Spain, is considered one of the great masters of Haute Couture.
His beginnings in sewing started at a very young age, and he soon found himself designing for influential women in Spain. In 1917, he opened his first boutique in San Sebastián, where he dressed the Spanish aristocracy and became one of the most respected and sought-after couturiers of his time.
In 1937, he moved his maison to Paris, where he achieved international recognition and became a leading figure in Haute Couture. There, he revolutionized women’s fashion with architectural silhouettes such as the sack dress, balloon skirts, cocoon coats, and the tonneau line, which transformed the female form without sacrificing elegance. His technical precision and ability to reinvent the body’s shape earned him the admiration of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, two of the most influential names in French fashion at the time.
Balenciaga retired in 1968 and passed away in 1972. One of his wishes was that his house would not continue without him. However, in 1986, the Balenciaga archives were acquired by the Kering Group, marking the beginning of a new era.
With designers such as Nicolas Ghesquière and Alexander Wang, the maison returned to the fashion week circuit during the 1990s and 2000s, once again securing its place in the industry.
The most controversial creative director was Demna Gvasalia, who transformed the house with a streetwear aesthetic that strayed far from Cristóbal’s original vision. His collections and advertising campaigns sparked criticism of all kinds, yet he remained at the helm for ten years.
Now, Balenciaga enters a new chapter with Pierpaolo Piccioli as creative director, replacing Demna Gvasalia. Known for his work at Valentino, Pierpaolo has demonstrated mastery in Haute Couture, while bringing a more romantic, feminine, and delicate sensibility. His arrival sets the expectation of a return to the elegance and sophistication that were always the essence of Balenciaga.

Written by Alejandra St for Mighty Magazine