This unprecedented volume accompanies the first exhibition to consider the impact of Spain’s culture, history, and art on one of its greatest designers of the twentieth century, the legendary Balenciaga. Hailed as "Fashion’s Picasso" by Cecil Beaton, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972) created an innovative oeuvre that transformed the way women dressed. From the opening of his Paris fashion house in 1937 until his retirement in 1968, Balenciaga’s visionary, ever-evolving designs and impeccable standards seduced generations of the most iconic, best-dressed women in the world, including the Duchess of Windsor, Gloria Guinness, Pauline de Rothschild, Mona Bismarck, Princess Grace of Monaco, Doris Duke, Diana Vreeland, and Queen Fabiola of Belgium. For Diana Vreeland, the designer’s "inspiration came from the bullrings, the flamenco dancers, the loose blouses the fishermen wear, the cool of the cloisters." Exploring the profound and enduring influence of Balenciaga’s native country on his work, this book considers the influences of Spain’s greatest artists, from Zurbarán, Velázquez, and Goya to Picasso and Miró. It also investigates the impact of Spain’s religious dress and ceremony, its royal history, its rich regional costume, its dance traditions, and the power and splendor of the bullfight on the protean Balenciaga’s designs. This illuminating and lavishly illustrated volume will be a must-have for art and fashion connoisseurs.
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“Beyond Balenciaga’s genius for fir, there was another reason why fashion mavens flocked to his salon on Avenue George V. The Spaniard practically spoke a different visual language. Motifs from his sun-drenched homeland—bullfights, flamenco, the regional garb of local fisherman, the incense-perfumed Catholic church, the opulent Spanish Court and the subversive portraits of Goya—gleam in his work.” ~C California Style
“…an extraordinary and unprecedented exhibition…” ~i-D
“…an extraordinary and unprecedented exhibition…” ~i-D
About the Author
Hamish Bowles is the European editor at large for Vogue and is recognized as one of the most respected authorities on the worlds of fashion and design. He has written many books, including Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years (2001); Carolina Herrera: Portrait of a Fashion Icon (2004); Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People (2007); Yves Saint Laurent Style (2008), and The World in Vogue: People, Parties, Places (2009).
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By David M.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is another great book on one of the fashion greats. The chapters are broken out by his influences(bull fighting, religious art) and are researched and detailed with thesis-like precision. Each chapter is illustrated with pictures of his influences, some of his design sketches, period watercolors and photos, and a few new photos. The reason why I cannot give this book the highest rating is because of the lack of recent photos of the garments. If this book was not an exhibition catalog I could understand the lack of getting recent photography but with an exhibition of over 130 items, less than 30 items were illustrated with recent photography. It left me wanting more.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By GMun
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Simply put, this book is a fantastic exploration into the Spanish inspiration that carried throughout Christobal Balenciaga's career. The pictures of the inspiration and the resulting dresses/outfits were fantastic. The layout is perfect. Not an in-depth history of the house by any means, but rather, a very specific slice of a level of creativity that very few fashions houses have achieved. For anyone interested in sincere fashion design and beautiful publications that will, in turn, inspire you, please do yourself a favor and purchase this book.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Lady Mary
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is excellent! It contains a lot of beautiful photos and illustrations!
Balenciaga is one of the best couturier for me and I am well pleased with this book!
Balenciaga is one of the best couturier for me and I am well pleased with this book!
By Tim MacAvoy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
A wonderful coffee table book which depicts in great detail pictures, commentary and inspiration of a great designer. I highly recommend it.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a good reference for fashion designers and those interested in the history of fashion. I'm glad to have it but have not just fallen in love with the book.
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