Balenciaga
Cristóbal Balenciaga founded his fashion label in 1917 in San Sebastian, Spain. In 1937, following the Spanish Civil War, he moved the brand in Paris, where he became a celebrated couturier and established Balenciaga’s reputation for highly conceptual, ultra-modern shapes.
After more than 50 years in business, Balenciaga closed his atelier in 1968. It was revived in 1986 under the ownership of Jacques Bogart SA and following a series of lackluster collections, found new life under designer Nicolas Ghesquière, who served as creative director from 1997 to 2012.
Since October 2015, Balenciaga’s men’s and women’s collections have been overseen by Georgian designer and artistic director Demna Gvasalia, who has worked to create desirable fashion while also engaging in broader dissertations on cultural, social and political topics.
At the same time, Gvasalia has built close relationships with other luxury and sportswear brands through a plethora of collaborative efforts with the likes of Gucci, Adidas and Vibram. Balenciaga’s work with Crocs, in particular, has produced numerous head-turning shoes that have gotten the fashion set talking.
In recent seasons, Balenciaga become a serious player in the sneaker space with its maximalist Triple S and Track sneakers, as well as its distinctive knit Speed sneaker.
Balenciaga has been part of the Kering group since 2001.
Balenciaga
EXCLUSIVE: Balenciaga Names Vira Capeci President for the Americas
The executive, who joins the brand from Céline, succeeds Luca Voarino in the post.
Chinese Retail Giant’s Multibrand Experiment
Bailian Group's first multibrand offering in Shanghai is another step in diversification designed to stave…
Heeling Power: Shoes Kicking at High, Low End
Hot fashion brands and fast-fashion players have a leg up on the middle market, observers say.
Luxury Eyes New-Generation CEOs to Court Millennial Consumer
WWD asked leading headhunters and consultants what are the key qualities required of the fashion ceo of…
Net-a-porter Fall Campaign Highlights 5 Fall Trends
The campaign highlights five key trends including Color Confidence, Dark Florals, Power Suiting, Cozy…
The RealReal Delivers State of Luxury Resale Report
Dominant online luxury consignment site shares nuggets of information from its business.
Balenciaga Ends Design Patent Fight With Bernardo Sandals
Bernardo had accused the luxury brand of using a patented design for its popular stud sandals.
Bouchra Jarrar Promoted to Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters
The Lanvin designer received the honor from former culture minister Audrey Azoulay in a ceremony at Palais…
Logo a-Go-go — Again
Logomania is not new, but it is back and a little different.
Sportswear Drives Upbeat Paris Season for Men’s Buyers
Tracksuits, sneakers, hoodies, graphic T-shirts, anoraks and even surf gear were among the key trends that…
Swizz Beatz Accuses Balenciaga of Copying Ruff Ryders Shirt
The music producer made the allegation in an Instagram post.
Colette Toasts Balenciaga Takeover
Kyle MacLachlan, Arnaud Vaillant and Gaia Repossi attended the event.
Balenciaga Bike Goes on Sale at Colette
The logo bike retails for 3,500 euros.
Kyle MacLachlan Channels ‘Twin Peaks’ at Balenciaga Show
Shrugging off a heatwave, the actor wore a sharp-shouldered black coat to the label's outdoor show at the…
Balenciaga Men’s Spring 2018
Demna Gvasalia's collection was an ode to Sunday in the park with Dad.