One of our favorite museums in London, the Victoria & Albert Museum, has unveiled its new exhibit, “Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion”. It takes a look at Cristóbal Balenciaga‘s career with a focus on the 1950s and 1960s where he created new styles, such as the tunic, the sack, the ‘baby doll’ and the shift dress and dressed a variety of women, including actress Ava Gardner and Gloria Guinness.
There are over 100 garments and 20 hats that are making their public debut and are joined by archive sketches, patterns, photographs, fabric samples and catwalk footage. There will also be an opportunity to learn more through x-rays, animated patterns and short films.
“Cristóbal Balenciaga was one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century. Revered by his contemporaries, including Coco Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy, his exquisite craftsmanship, pioneering use of fabric and innovative cutting set the tone for the modernity of the late 20th century fashion,” shared Cassie Davies-Strodder, V&A exhibition curator.
Davies-Strodder continued, “The exhibition will show his lasting impact on fashion through the work of those who trained with him and through recent garments by designers including Molly Goddard, Demna Gvasalia and J.W. Anderson who reflect the legacy of his vision today.”
The exhibition, Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion runs through 18 February 2018.
Read more at vam.ac.uk.
