8/31/2007

Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere


"Nicolas Ghesquiere is the most intriguing and original designer of his generation. His collections are explorations of shape, volume and embellishment that seem totally new — yet reflect in a glancing, abstract way the style of the iconic design house that shelters him: Balenciaga." - Suzy Menkes

One of my favorite designers is Nicolas Ghesquiere, he has a unique vision about fashion and it's shapes. People know that a Ghesquiere collection can influence everyone else's - even some from the "bigger" names. In 1997 when he was only 25 years old, Nicolas was chosen to head Balenciaga, one the most influential fashion houses from the couture era that had fallen from grace after the death of founder/visionary Cristobal Balenciaga and a string of really faulty designers.

But Ghesquiere turned the brand around and made it into what of the most respected and influential brands. In 2001 The Gucci Group bought Balenciaga and Nicolas has always been positive about it as it enables him to complete his vision of making Balenciaga a global brand.

Here are some of my favorite designs from his most recent collections. From the Baroque Rockstar of Spring 2006 to his Futuristic Fembot from Spring 2007, Ghesquiere never ceases to amaze. One of his staples is the suit, always present in his collections in every form of incarnation but always with the same silhouette: cigarette trousers and fitted jackets with structured shoulders. His dresses are always dramatic and his gravity defying shoes are always gasp inducing.

Nicolas Ghesquiere may sometimes borrow from the past but mostly he chooses to show us what the future of fashion - and life - will be in the twenty first century.

C.








18 comments:

Ella Gregory said...

i had no idea those red carpet dresses were balenciaga
i think its a very subtle label and is easy to mix pieces
great post it was nice to read all about it and see it as a timeline

Héloïse J. said...

nice post! i also love nicolas g. i consider him a fashion genious and above all he seems very cool person, nothing provocative in his attitude. p.s you've done great work with the photos runway-timeline:)

-S said...

he has brought such a fresh look to balenciaga. i love it!

Kat said...

Great Post! Nicolas is am amazing designer, a trend setter and keeps the vison of this legendary house in mind. I loved the a/w 2006 collection with those caps, and this year's is just as good. The resort collection was wonderully quirky too. His collections are so different from each other and he must be one of the hardest working dsigners out there.
Btw, saw a great Balenciaga esque a/w 07 boho tec blazer in Zara. Swoon!

The Redheaded Bandit said...

i love that pic of kirsten dunst u have on the side

Susana Rodrigues said...

wow amazing post!
I really love Balenciaga.
I love Balenciaga's Fall 2007 ready-to-wear collection, specially the scarves
***
Su

Susana Rodrigues said...

Me again :)
would you like to exchange links?
***
Su

Carolina Lange said...

I love Nicolas Ghesquiere's work! He is a genious! All his collecitons are amazing!
Great psot!!!

-ciao bella- said...

fab post- i love the label. it has awesome basics but also unique pieces (gold leggings for example). everything is just awesome that he designs

Ella Gregory said...

hey i have given you a rockin blogger award.
the details are on my blog!

Ellie Lee said...

lol!!! 1st qn. how do pronounce his last name?!!! haha!!

anyhow. love love balenciaga for fall!!! totally fab!!!! hehe

anyhow thanks for d comment(: glad u loved the picture:D

discotheque confusion said...

Thanks for your lovely comment, made me smile!
I'm glad you're a male blogger actually, there aren't nearly enough around!
This is such a great post, although I really admire Nicolas G, I didn't really know that much about it, and I certainly had no idea that he'd been their designer for ten years!

That collection with the riding hats was such a classic in my opinion, but I also love the science glasses from the spring 07. Oh yeahhhh.

For some reason blogger won't let me add new links at the moment, but hold out, because you're definitely going on there.

Whooa long. S xx

Othalia said...

i am all about F07 balenciaga and his fitted blazers...and to be honest, that white eyeshadow across the eyebrows is growing on me...anyone...anyone?? lol
great post!!

hannah said...

i adore balenciaga. excellent post!

Asi Mod said...

Love Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga.

Loved Olivier Theyskens at Rochas, and am excited for him now that he's at Nina Ricci.

Marc Jacob is brilliant at LV but his own private collection is more smoke screen than substance.

lala said...

i love balenciaga ! i love nicolas !

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Women Leather Skirt said...

i love balenciaga ! i love nicolas !