Can I just gush a little? I am so in love with the idea of an ideal form for clothing! And Balenciaga changed the entire silhouette concept for women! His lines became more linear and sleek, diverging from the hourglass shape popularized by Christian Dior's New Look. The fluidity of his silhouettes enabled him to manipulate the relationship between his clothing and women's bodies. In 1951, he totally transformed the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. In 1955, he designed the tunic dress, which later developed into the chemise dress of 1958. Other contributions in the postwar era included the spherical balloon jacket (1953), the high-waisted baby doll dress (1957), the cocoon coat (1957), the balloon skirt (1957), and the sack dress (1957). In 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with high-waisted dresses and coats cut like kimonos. His manipulation of the waist, in particular, contributed to "what is considered to be his most important contribution to the world of fashion: a new silhouette for women."- That's right guys, "The MOST important!" Let us not forget the fashion worlds founder...EVE! (She did give Adam the leaf!) A moment of silence for her...wait she ruined paradise for us-but I suppose it was in part in the name of fashion-we will let thatgo for now!
In the 1960s, Balenciaga was an innovator in his use of fabrics: he tended toward heavy fabrics, intricate embroidery, and bold materials. His trademarks included "collars that stood away from the collarbone to give a swanlike appearance" and shortened "bracelet" sleeves. His often spare, sculptural creations—including funnel-shape gowns of stiff duchess satin worn to acclaim by clients such as Pauline de Rothschild, Bunny Mellon, Marella Agnelli, Gloria Guinness and Mona von Bismarck—were considered masterworks of haute couture in the 1950s and 1960s. Jackie Kennedy famously upset John F. Kennedy for buying Balenciaga's expensive creations while he was President because he feared that the American public might think the purchases too lavish. That's right-THE first lady and queen of style-herself loved Balenciaga.
While this Blog is not really meant to be a Fashion history-per se-I think it is important to understand the basics. As I sit here sipping my BOLD (please not the bold because it is strong this morning) coffee and thinking of what Balenciaga endured during his time and the successes he had-I am left wondering "Where would we be without Balenciaga's genius?" The answer-probably would have been in WWIII already! I joke, of course, but I ask you never to diminish, or forget, the importance of this man! He is one of my heroes!
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