Balenciaga
- Founded
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1917
- Founder(s):
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Cristóbal Balenciaga
- Headquarters:
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Paris, France
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: Pierpaolo Piccioli Decided It Was Time for a Soft Hourglass Bag at Balenciaga
Dubbed the Hourglass Avenue, the new bag boasts a more fluid construction and a hidden second handle.
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Approach to Getting Dressed and the Black Designers That Shaped Her
Ross became a sponsor at the Harlem's Fashion Row Fashion Show and Style Awards through her brand Pattern…
Nicola Peltz is a Real-Life Princess in a Purple Balenciaga Gown at the Kinéo Awards Red Carpet at the Venice Film Festival with Brooklyn Beckham
Peltz was joined by her husband Brooklyn Beckham.
EXCLUSIVE: Balenciaga Melds Dark, Light in Fall Campaign
"Clair-obscur" was the title of Pierpaolo Piccioli's fall 2026 collection, and photographer Robin Galiegue…
Material World: Balenciaga Taps Bioengineered Silk Yarns for Couture
An Inditex-backed study is brewing circular innovation, melon waste becomes vegan leather and researchers…
Fashionphile to Host Three-day SoHo Pop-up Event
The pop-up, to be held at 131 Greene Street, will feature preloved Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Miu Miu and more…
Gotham Hero OG Anunoby on Where the Knicks Go Now, His Ascension to Stardom and That Viral Skechers Shoe
The comeback king shows off his dry wit in one of his first cover stories.
Designer Debuts Made a Splash During Paris Couture Week
Pierpaolo Piccioli's first couture show for Balenciaga garnered $21.3 million in media impact value, or MIV…
Demi Moore and Tallulah Willis Share a High Fashion Mother-daughter Moment in Paris
The pair attended Wednesday's Balenciaga fall 2026 couture collection presentation.
Balenciaga Fall 2026 Couture: Bright Ideas
For his debut at the Paris house, Pierpaolo Piccioli didn't hold back on arresting colors and dramatic…
Pierpaolo Piccioli on His Balenciaga Couture Debut
The Italian designer plans to merge tailoring and flou, maximal and minimal in an open-air display designed…
Balenciaga Has a New Chief Marketing Officer
Drieke Leenknegt has 20 years experience at Nike, and also worked at Vans and Timberland.
Milly Alcock Channels Balenciaga’s Dark Punk Sensibility
The "Supergirl" star attended the film's New York City premiere on Monday night.
Balenciaga Is on a Wellness Kick
Smoothies, post-workout bars and fitness studio takeovers are among activations arriving in tandem with…
Bruno Sialelli Is Joining Balenciaga Studio: Sources
The French designer, who made his name leading Lanvin, recently joined the couture studio just ahead of…