Cristóbal
Balenciaga
Eisaguirre
(Guetaria,
Spain,
January 21,
1895 – March
23, 1972 in
Valencia)
was a
Spanish
fashion
designer.
His often
spare,
sculptural
creations—including
funnel-shape
gowns of
stiff
duchess
satin worn
to acclaim
by clients
such as
Pauline de
Rothschild
and
Mona von
Bismarck—were
considered
masterworks
of haute
couture in
the 1950s
and 1960s.
He was
born into a
family of
Basque
ancestry.
He taught
fashion
design
classes,
inspiring
other
designers
such as
Oscar de la
Renta.
Today the
Balenciaga
fashion
house is
still going
under the
direction of
Nicolas
Ghesquière
and under
the
ownership of
the
Gucci
Group.
Balenciaga
is known for
their very
couture cut
clothing and
stunning
cult fave
handbags.