Cristóbal Balenciaga. Fashion. Biography and works at Spain is culture.

He was born in Getaria. His opened first sewing workshop in San Sebastián in 1915. In 1921 he opened a subsidiary in Madrid and started to become well known in Spain. In 1937 he installed his first workshop in Paris and he earned himself a privileged position in the international fashion scene. Around 1940 he invented hats made with hair, and the classic petite robe noire (small black dress). Other very successful designs followed, such as ankle-length ballroom dresses, sack dress or evening dresses with asymmetrical cuts. In 1960 he designed the wedding dress for Queen Fabiola of Belgium. Later on his creations first reflected the influence of Zurbarán’s painting, in his embroidered evening boleros, and then, sporty trends with the first transparent raincoats. His last collection was presented in 1968, in which he clearly promoted colours. He also created several fragrances.