The definitive illustrated retrospective volume of one of international fashions greatest masters, it traces the designers collections year by year from 1937 to 2006, using photos, press cuttings, sketches and other archive material, a must-have volume for all lovers of fashion. Nicolas Ghesquière, under whose leadership the House of Balenciaga has seen a dramatic revival, contributes a preface.
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'Elegant... gives an authentic sense of the label's evolution' -- The Independent
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By M. Koistine
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book tells us that from 1943 to 1968 Balenciaga produced 9051 silhuettes, of those a little over 70 are shown in photographs here. The book also tells us that from 1998 to 2006 Nicolas Ghesquière produced 736 looks for the fashion house, of those around 80 are pictured.
Editor Pamela Golbin doesn`t justify or explain her choices, but it seems like the budget might have been the concern.. Mainly the book is a collection of contemporary pressnotes, paired sparsely with illustrations. Some of these are good, even great, but it left me wondering why it`s so hard to do decent books on fashion. If you want to see the outfits by Ghesquière go to firstview.com, style.com or collection magazine backissues. Cristóbal Balenciaga`s work is another matter, maybe there is a great fashion archive near you, or not.
Editor Pamela Golbin doesn`t justify or explain her choices, but it seems like the budget might have been the concern.. Mainly the book is a collection of contemporary pressnotes, paired sparsely with illustrations. Some of these are good, even great, but it left me wondering why it`s so hard to do decent books on fashion. If you want to see the outfits by Ghesquière go to firstview.com, style.com or collection magazine backissues. Cristóbal Balenciaga`s work is another matter, maybe there is a great fashion archive near you, or not.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A tale of two Balenciagas
21 Jun 2007
By Joseph A. Admire
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This gigantic book by Pamela Golbin (author of the excellent overview "Fashion Designers") really tells the story of two houses of Balenciaga - the original, helmed by the great Cristobal Balenciaga, and the modern-day couturier. I'm not a huge fan of the 2000's Balenciaga lines, so I won't say much about them here - though, in all truth, this book does cover modern-day Balenciaga quite thoroughly for anyone who's interested.
The real heart of the book for vintage-fashion mavens, however, is the first half of the book, detailing the work of the illustrious Senor Balenciaga. The gentleman was probably the finest designer of the "New Look" era after M. Dior himself, and worked for much longer than Dior did. He excelled particularly, in my own opinion, at lush, silken, flowing gowns, which are copiously - and beautifully - detailed here. It's all here; biographical information, design sketches, behind-the-scenes photographs, catwalk shots. If you've been having trouble finding Marie-Andree Jouve's huge (and very expensive) Balenciaga retrospective, this is a perfect way to satisfy your desires!
The real heart of the book for vintage-fashion mavens, however, is the first half of the book, detailing the work of the illustrious Senor Balenciaga. The gentleman was probably the finest designer of the "New Look" era after M. Dior himself, and worked for much longer than Dior did. He excelled particularly, in my own opinion, at lush, silken, flowing gowns, which are copiously - and beautifully - detailed here. It's all here; biographical information, design sketches, behind-the-scenes photographs, catwalk shots. If you've been having trouble finding Marie-Andree Jouve's huge (and very expensive) Balenciaga retrospective, this is a perfect way to satisfy your desires!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-have
4 April 2007
By vera kolpakova
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you were to buy just one book dealing with fashion, make it this book. It's a fabulous volume that goes beyond the typical pictures with hardly any captions or relation to the time period approach. Instead, you get it all: the fantastic images that make you think - oh my, such and such borrowed this idea for this and that collection, over and over again! Plus you learn about the history of this interesting man, his attempts to start his own business, etc. It's like reading a personal journal/album - the most rewarding and lasting pleasure!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT FASHION REFERENCE
26 May 2007
By Shirley A. Hinckley
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
A beautiful history of the great Balenciaga. His work was wonderful.
A true artist and a fine gentlemen.
A true artist and a fine gentlemen.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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