​BALENCIAGA IS 100

A sneaky peek of the anticipated exhibition at the V& A by Sara Darling

This summer’s blockbuster exhibition at the V & A museum will be a well timed 100 years retrospective, which was founded by of Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, whose groundbreaking designs changed fashion forever. 

Showcasing pieces that you might recognise, but not realise were Balenciaga, such as the tulip skirt, shift dress, raglan sleeve and and boxy shoulders, he was noted by his contemporaries as being a genius, and setting the rules for 20th century high fashion.

Christian Dior called him “conductor to the haute couture’s orchestra”, and the ‘Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion’ show is a homage to much of his seen and unseen work. Allowing visitors to closely explore the complicated craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into his creations, and radically, the V & A have x-rayed one of his gowns to expose the underlying workmanship that keeps it in shape.

Balenciaga shaped fashion in the mid 20th century, like no other, and his influence has filtered through to designs today- with JW Andersen, Simone Rocha and Erdem as noticeable devotees. Interestingly, now Balenciaga is under the art direction of experimental nous of Demna Gvasalia, (from Vetements) and the house is gaining a new cult following for it’s creative and forward thinking designs. 

The exhibition will showcase over 100 designs and drawings, alongside photographs of the some of the world’s most famous women who he dressed and is a must see for anyone who has a love of fashion. 
Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion will be on show at the V&A, London May 27th 2017–February 18th 2018
More details here