In August 1937 Cristóbal Balenciaga opened his first Parisian couture house, and in 1951 the Spanish-born couturier became the toast of fashion by creating a brand-new dress silhouette. Cristóbal died in 1972, but his legacy and firmly established design codes live on in the house as we know and love it today. The label has evolved from the heartbeat of Paris to become one of the world’s most influential fashion brands, boasting vast ready-to-wear and accessories lines as well as a coveted kidswear offering.