Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion, New Retrospective, V&A

Last weekend, MrB and I went to the exhibition Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion, New Retrospective, V&A (27 May 2017-18 February 2018).  I’m not a fashionista, and only knew Balenciaga from his namesake designer handbags.  I left the exhibition in awe of his skill and creativity, and grateful that he brought us designs that I can easily see myself wearing today: the baby-doll dress, the shift dress, the raglan sleeve, tunic and cocoon coat.       Cristobel Balenciaga (1895-1972) is widely acknowledged as “the designer’s designer”, and although he is not as recognisable a name as Coco Chanel or Christian Dior, there is no doubt as to his legacy and innovation.    Lovingly curated, the V&A draws on its existing collection of his pieces, the largest collection in the UK, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Spanish master’s first fashion salon in Sans Sebastian and the 80th anniversary of the opening […]

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