Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1954-1955, 1954-1955

folder

Identifier: SC.320.2

Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of 41 black and white photographs.

Dates

Creation: 1954-1955

Creator

Balenciaga, Cristobal, 1895-1972 (1895-1972) (Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English Latin

Conditions Governing Access

Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at [email protected] or call (212) 217-4385.

Biographical / Historical

Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972) was a Basque-born Spanish fashion designer. Established in 1917, he was a leading couturier in Spain where he designed under his label Eisa. After moving to Paris in 1937 amid the Spanish Civil War, Balenciaga founded his eponymously named couture house which was known for its "pureness of lines, the reinterpretation of Spanish tradition and the development of innovative volumes." Fellow couturier Christian Dior called Balenciaga "the master of us all," and the designer's work was held in reverence until his retirement 1968. The house of Balenciaga remained closed until its revival in 1986 under the creative direction of Michel Goma.