Balenciaga, masterly black

A Dutch book. But definitely worth mentioning on that English blog. 'Balenciaga – masterly black' is a tribute to the fashion house Balenciaga and the fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, starring his beloved color black. More than 100 masterpieces from the collections of Palais Galliera and Maison Balenciaga were included in the book. Texts are by Véronique Belloir, Helena López de Hierro, Gaspard de Massé and Ollivier Saillard. Waanders Uitgevers has published this beautiful book.

Quilty Pleasure
I'll admit it, my great quilty pleasures are those luxurious coffee table books about fashion designers. Not that I'd give a second thought to buying haute couture, and can't afford to, but I like to look at it and get a lot of inspiration from it for my Victorian and Medieval costumes. I will undoubtedly not be the only one because in the sewing world where I am active as a blogger, I see that many people enjoy these beautiful coffee table books. And among photographers, books by famous photographers are particularly popular.

Balenciaga
Balenciagais a famous fashion house founded by the Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1919. He is considered one of the most influential couturiers of the 20th century and is renowned for his groundbreaking designs and innovative approach to fashion.Cristóbal Balenciaga was born in Spain in 1895 and showed an interest in clothing design from a young age. At the age of 16, he moved to Paris, where he quickly gained recognition in the fashion world. In 1937, he opened his first fashion house in Paris, marking the beginning of the iconic brand Balenciaga.

Balenciaga was admired for his impeccable tailoring, sculptural shapes, and innovative fabrics. He was often called "the master of couture" and was known for his attention to detail and craftsmanship. His designs were worn by royalty, Hollywood stars, and famous personalities of his time.

Some of his most famous creations included the "sac-jack," a loose-fitting coat with a high waist, and the "babydoll" dress. He experimented with new materials and introduced silhouettes that revolutionized the fashion industry. Balenciaga's work had a significant impact on fashion during the 1950s and 1960s and continues to be recognized as a major source of inspiration for contemporary designers.

After Cristóbal Balenciaga's death in 1972, the fashion house remained inactive for several years. However, it was relaunched under new leadership in 1986. Since then, the brand has had several creative directors, each bringing their own interpretation of Balenciaga's legacy.

The current influential designer at Balenciaga is Demna Gvasalia, who took over as creative director in 2015. He has revitalized the brand with his contemporary vision of fashion and has placed Balenciaga back at the forefront of the fashion world with bold and sometimes controversial designs.
Balenciaga continues to be one of the most respected and influential names in the fashion industry, and Cristóbal Balenciaga's legacy lives on through the ongoing innovation and creativity of the brand.

Masterful black
The book 'Balenciaga - masterly black' is a beautiful copy. It's mostly black, of course, and the front page has embossed letters bearing the title. This is a special bookbinding technique. I should know because I have done a bookbinding course and therefore know how much work and patience you have to put in for this. Of course it is now done by machine, but that does not alter the fact that it looks extra special. The texts are written fluently and very informative and invite you to read.

Only point of criticism, my personal opinion, is that the white letters on the black paper are not very pleasant to read, especially if you are prone to migraines.

Balenciaga – masterly black – recommended!
The book is a wonderful coffee table book. The photos are very beautiful. I immediately recognize some of them because they have been circulating on Pinterest for a long time. It is mainly the beautiful vintage photos with women in tight suits and wasp waists that make you look longer. The informational value of the book lies mainly in the texts and the quality photos that show many details of the clothing, without zooming in on it. The book is a must for people who love fashion and art, for seamstresses, for photographers and for vintage enthusiasts!

An other Balenciaga book:
(review by Elena Tran)