FASHION DESIGNERS BALENCIAGA

More than two decades after his death, the name of Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga remains a byword for clothes executed to the highest standards and characterized by their sculptural quality and dramatic use of colour. Yet little has been written about the man renowned as "the Picasso of fashion". This study rectifies that position, and places Balenciaga within the context of French and Spanish fashion of the period. The book unravels some of the mystery surrounding Balenciaga, examining the political and social background to his career, the influence of Spanish regional and historical dress on his work, and the motives behind his departure for Paris in the late 1930s. It provides a detailed analysis of his designs over a 30-year period, and goes on to consider his business strategy, his influence on younger fashion designers, and the survival of the House of Balenciaga up to the present day. The book also offers bibliographical references and appendices to stimulate further research.