Cristobal Balenciaga became one of the most prestigious tailors of Madrid at a very young age. But when the Spanish Civil War forced him to close his stores, Balenciaga moved to Paris where he launched his first collection under his name in 1937; it featured the distinguishing balloon skirts and his innovative cuts.
His success continues today under the direction of Demna Gvasalia, successor to Alexander Wang in 2015. The young Georgian designer, who gained experience at Maison Margiela and side by side with Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton, is one of the most innovative designers of the fashion system. He draws its creativity from the daily hustle and bustle, and also proposes sociological reflections on the role of clothes and the rigour of the creative talent.