Balenciaga SA ([2] ; ) is a Spanish luxury fashion house headquartered in Paris. It designs, manufactures and markets ready-to-wear footwear, handbags, and accessories, and licenses its name and branding to the American cosmetics company Coty for its namesake fragrances.[3]
The brand was originally founded in San Sebastián in 1919 by the Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga before its establishment in Paris in 1937 as a result of the Spanish Civil War. Closed in 1968 by its founder who deceased three years later, Balenciaga was ultimately revitalized by the French fragrance group Jacques Bogart after the latter acquired the brand in 1986. Since 2001, it is owned by the French luxury goods company Kering, controlled by the Pinault family.
Gianfranco Gianangeli has been CEO of Balenciaga since November 2024.[4] Italian designer Pierpaolo Piccioli became Creative Director of Balenciaga in July 2025.[5]
History
Founding to 1968
Cristóbal Balenciaga opened his first boutique in San Sebastián (Spain) in 1917,[6] and expanded to include branches in Madrid and Barcelona.[7] The Spanish royal family and aristocracy wore his designs. When the Spanish Civil War forced him to close his stores, he moved to Paris.[7][8]
Balenciaga opened his Paris couture house on Avenue George V in August 1937, where his first fashion show featured designs heavily influenced by the Spanish Renaissance.[7]
Controversies
Plagiarism
Artists accused the brand of plagiarism. Artist Tra My Nguyen accuses the brand of having used her portfolio that a recruiter of the brand had requested before reusing it without having spoken with the artist or the latter having given him her permission.[69][70]
Advertising campaign involving children
On November 16, 2022, Balenciaga released an online "Gift Shop" advertising campaign featuring six young children[71] holding teddy bears dressed in bondage and BDSM gear, amidst empty wine glasses and champagne flutes.[72][73]
Directors
Creative directors
- 1919-1968: Cristóbal Balenciaga
- 1987-1992: Michel Goma
- 1992-1997: Josephus Thimister
- 1997-2012: Nicolas Ghesquière
- 2013-2015:[94]
See also
External links
References
- Balenciaga store directory.^
- —^
- What is the State of Luxury's Hundred Million Dollar Licensing Deals? The Fashion Law, May 10, 2018, retrieved September 3, 2022^