Cristóbal Balenciaga

A woman has no need to be perfect or even beautiful to wear my dresses. The dress will do all that for her.
Cristóbal Balenciaga
Known as 'the master' of haute couture, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895 – 1972) was one of the most innovative and influential fashion designers of the 20th century. His exquisite craftsmanship and pioneering use of fabrics revolutionised the female silhouette, setting the tone for modern fashion. 

The V&A has the largest collection of Balenciaga in the UK, initiated in the 1970s by the photographer Cecil Beaton, Balenciaga's longstanding friend. Our collection includes examples of revolutionary shapes from the designer's golden age, the 1950s and 60s, such as the tunic, sack, baby doll and shift dresses – all of which remain style staples today. 

Search “Cristóbal Balenciaga ” in Explore the Collections

Features

Read

Introducing Cristóbal Balenciaga

Revered by the likes of Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, meet 'The Master' of haute couture

  1. Watch

    Secrets of Balenciaga's construction

    Animated dress patterns show how three of Balenciaga's iconic designs were constructed, revealing his mastery of pattern cutting, draping and manipulation of fabrics.
  2. Interact

    X-raying Balenciaga

    Discover the hidden interior structures of iconic garments by Cristóbal Balenciaga, revealed through beautiful X-rays
  3. Watch

    Balenciaga's sequinned evening coat

    Recreating the beautiful hot-pink beading and sequin work of Balenciaga's 1967 evening coat.
  4. Read

    Balenciaga's hats

    Cristóbal Balenciaga's couture hats were some of the most elaborate in Paris, playing with scale, shape and unusual materials
  5. Watch

    Contemporary fashion designers on Balenciaga

    Molly Goddard, Gareth Pugh and Josep Font for Delpozo reveal how 'The Master' of couture has inspired their 21st-century design practice
  6. Watch

    Learning from 'The Master'

    Investigating iconic garments by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 'The Master' of haute couture
  7. Watch

    Shaping fashion: Balenciaga's legacy

    See how Balenciaga's iconic designs have inspired the work of 20th and 21st century fashion designers
  8. Watch

    Fashion in Motion: inspired by Balenciaga

    Find out about our Fashion in Motion live fashion event, featuring new creations inspired by the master of couture, Cristóbal Balenciaga

  9. Read

    About the Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion exhibition

    Find out more about the first UK exhibition on the work and influence of master couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga

Collection highlights

Show all
  1. cream hat
    Hat, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, made for Eisa, 1962, Spain
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  2. Embroidered floral evening dress. Embroidery in pink, grey, blue, green
    (Detail) Evening dress, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1960 – 62, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  3. X-ray photograph of silk taffeta evening dress by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1955, Paris, France. Photograph by Nick Veasey. © Nick Veasey
  4. evening outfit
    Evening outfit, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, made by Lesage, 1967, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  5. evening ensemble
    Evening ensemble, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1967, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  6. evening dress
    Baby doll evening dress, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1958, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  7. hat
    Hat, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, about 1950, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  8. skirt suit
    Skirt suit, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1954, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  9. evening dress
    Evening dress, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1954, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment

V&A Shop

Browse the V&A Shop range
Marie Antoinette Style exhibition book

V&A PUBLICATION

Marie Antoinette Style exhibition book

From £25

Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior - Hardback

V&A PUBLICATION

Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior - Hardback

£20

Gabrielle Chanel - exhibition book

SPECIAL V&A PRICE

Gabrielle Chanel - exhibition book

£35

Shocking Life: The Autobiography of Elsa Schiaparelli

V&A PUBLICATION

Shocking Life: The Autobiography of Elsa Schiaparelli

£9.99

18th Century Fashion in Detail

V&A PUBLICATION

18th Century Fashion in Detail

£25

Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior

V&A PUBLICATION

Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior

£9.99

Quant by Quant: The Autobiography of Mary Quant

V&A PUBLICATION

Quant by Quant: The Autobiography of Mary Quant

£9.99

Christian Dior - official exhibition book

V&A PUBLICATION

Christian Dior - official exhibition book

£40

Epic Iran: 5000 Years of Culture - official exhibition book (hardback)

V&A PUBLICATION

Epic Iran: 5000 Years of Culture - official exhibition book (hardback)

£45

NAOMI: In Fashion - exhibition book

SPECIAL V&A PRICE

NAOMI: In Fashion - exhibition book

£20

Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk - exhibition book

V&A PUBLICATION

Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk - exhibition book

£40

The Nineties X Anna Sui

The Nineties X Anna Sui

£60

A to Z of Wedding Style: V&A Fashion Style Guides

V&A PUBLICATION

A to Z of Wedding Style: V&A Fashion Style Guides

£9.99 £2

Bags (new edition)

V&A PUBLICATION

Bags (new edition)

£14.99

Francis Marshall: Drawing Fashion

Francis Marshall: Drawing Fashion

£20

V&A pattern Spitalfields silks new edition

V&A PUBLICATION

V&A pattern Spitalfields silks new edition

£8.99

20th Century Fashion in Detail

V&A PUBLICATION

20th Century Fashion in Detail

£25

Spectrum: Heritage Patterns and Colours

V&A PUBLICATION

Spectrum: Heritage Patterns and Colours

£20

Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up - exhibition book

V&A PUBLICATION

Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up - exhibition book

£35

The Little Dictionary of Fashion

V&A PUBLICATION

The Little Dictionary of Fashion

£12

Style and Satire: Fashion in Print 1777–1927

V&A PUBLICATION

Style and Satire: Fashion in Print 1777–1927

£12.99

19th Century Fashion in Detail

V&A PUBLICATION

19th Century Fashion in Detail

£25

Plato's Atlantis, dress, Alexander McQueen, Spring/Summer 2010, London, England. Museum no. T.11-2010. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Collections

Fashion

Header image:
Spiral silk hat, Balenciaga for Eisa, 1962, Spain. Museum no. T.146-1998. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London