Balenciaga is an iconic fashion brand, but its co-founder Cristóbal Balenciaga was known for his controversial views.
Fashion house Balenciaga is no stranger to controversy, and its co-founder Cristóbal Balenciaga was no stranger to controversy himself. Balenciaga died in 1972, but the brand that bears his name has continued to thrive. The Spanish fashion house has become one of the most iconic brands in the world and is often cited as a source of inspiration for other designers and brands. However, it’s important to note that many of the ideas that are credited to Balenciaga himself were actually pioneered by another designer.
What was controversial about Cristóbal Balenciaga?
Cristóbal Balenciaga was born in 1895 in Getaria, Spain. He went on to study at Madrid’s School of Arts and Crafts before moving on to Paris where he began working for Lanvin. In 1937 he opened his own design studio where he began working on haute couture garments that were considered revolutionary at the time.
Balenciaga was known for being a conservative man who held conservative views when it came to politics and social issues. In fact, his design choices reflected this conservatism, with models wearing full coverage dresses with high necklines during a time when skirts were short and women were pushing back against these traditional ideals.
During World War II, Balenciaga refused any business from Jewish clients or from Nazi Germany itself. This meant he lost out on lucrative contracts from French designers who had fled Paris during the German occupation of France. Instead, he focused on working with Franco’s government and making clothes for Spanish aristocrats.
After World War II ended, Balenciaga moved back home to Spain where he became friends with General Francisco Franco (the country’s dictator). It’s rumored that Franco even offered him an appointment as minister of culture which would have made him one of Franco’s closest confidants.
