Originally a Spanish couture house, the brand is now known for its revolutionary, sculptural silhouettes and culture-defining streetwear.
ORIGIN
Spain
PRICE TIER
luxury
Founded by Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1919, the house first established itself in Spain before moving to Paris in 1937. Celebrated for his mastery of shape and uncompromising standards, Cristóbal revolutionized the female silhouette with architectural forms like the sack dress and cocoon coat, offering a modernist alternative to the era's popular hourglass figures. Revered by his peers, he was considered a master of haute couture until his retirement in 1968.