Balenciaga: Spanish Master

Photgraph from:
http://blogs.artinfo.com/museumviews/files/2010/11/Cristobel-Balenciaga-Queen-Sofia-Spanish-Institute-NYC-Hamish-Bowles-Oscar-de-la-Renta-Homa-Nasab-MuseumViews-90.jpg

         
Today, my NYC Study Tour class took me to, yet again, another amazing New York City site. We had the chance to visit the brand new Balenciaga exhibit on display at the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute on Park Avenue. This one-of-a-kind exhibit was the brainchild of Hamish Bowles, editor at large of Vogue, and fashion designer, Ocscar de la Renta. These fashion enthusiasts realized that Cristobal Balenciaga was such a rare and influential designer that his elaborate and unique pieces should be accessible and appreciated by fashionistas. The exhibit looks at the designers work by picking out the Spanish influences. Whether the influence was traditional bullfighting and Spanish dancing attire or the work of visual artists Goya and Picasso, this compelling exhibition shows how Balenciaga synthesized them all into bold and original pieces.


Oscar de la Renta, Queen Sophia of Spain, and Hamish Bowles
Photograph from:
http://car-electronics.orderlike.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/dd6f9_oscar-de-la-renta-hamish-bowles-590ssl112410.jpg

          
As I looked at all of the gorgeous pieces, there were two that stood out. The first was an evening dress from the Winter 1960 collection. This was a red silk duchess satin dress embroidered with black carnations. The carnation, which is the national flower of Spain and a recognizable symbol of the bullring, is a reoccurring motif for Balenciaga. The embroidery and vibrant color combination of this piece references the ornately decorated costume and ceremonial cape of the matador.



Photograph from:
http://blogs-images.forbes.com/hannahelliott/files/2010/11/Balenciaga-red-matador.jpg

The next Balenciaga piece that caught my eye was a gorgeous evening ensemble from the Winter 1967 collection.  This ensemble consisted of a black silk crepe dress with a black silk gazar "chou" wrap.  Gazar, which was developed specifically for Balenciaga, is a stiff silk gauze used to create sculptural forms with minimal seaming and interior reinforcement.  This unique garment depicts the overtly Spanish costume of the working class maja. 


Photograph from:
http://fashionlvr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/BalenciagaEveningEnsemble1967Collection.jpg

 I had an amazing experience at the Balenciaga: Spanish Master exhibit.  There are so many amazingly crafted fashion pieces that you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else.  This exhibit is going on until February 19th, so make sure to visit and see the work of world renowned designer, Cristobal Balenciaga.