Significant Influence on Modern Fashion

 BALENCIAGA

Balenciaga was founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a legendary couturier who was revered by fashion icons like Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. Today, Balenciaga is owned by the Kering group, which also owns other luxury fashion brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Alexander McQueen.  

Cristóbal Balenciaga was celebrated for his mastery of tailoring and his revolutionary silhouettes, such as the high-waisted baby doll dress, the balloon skirt, and the cocoon coat. His work redefined women’s fashion, emphasizing form and structure over embellishment, and earning the admiration of contemporaries like Christian Dior and Coco Chan

After Cristóbal’s death in 1972, Balenciaga lost some of its former glory. However, in 2015, Demna Gvasalia took over as creative director and transformed the brand’s image from haute couture to streetwear. This shift proved to be a huge success with Balenciaga’s “sock sneakers” and “platform crocs” dominating the luxury footwear market.  

Gvasalia’s tenure has seen the introduction of iconic items such as the Triple S sneakers and the reimagined City bag, as well as groundbreaking runway shows that challenge traditional fashion norms. His approach combines irony, deconstruction, and social commentary, resonating with a younger, fashion-savvy audience.

Despite returning to haute couture after 53 years, Balenciaga is also moving fast into another untapped market – E-sports. The brand has collaborated with Fortnite to launch skins and virtual clothes, and even released its fall ’21 collection via an interactive game. Balenciaga is embracing digital fashion as the future and continues to push boundaries in the industry.