When it comes to high fashion, very few names create as much allure and authority as the Spanish brand Balenciaga. Created by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917, this iconic brand symbolises innovation, elegance, and an avant-garde design that echoes through the corridors of fashion history.
As Balenciaga gracefully pirouetted onto the style stage, it was a dance of identity, with the brand’s logo twirling gracefully in the spotlight. While the threads and trinkets spun by Balenciaga have undoubtedly woven an indelible tapestry in the fabric of the fashion world, it’s the brand’s logo that has shaped the very essence of Balenciaga’s identity over the years. The article delves into the evolution of the Balenciaga logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Balenciaga Logo (1917 – 2013)
The first logo for Balenciaga featured an elegant brand name in uppercase placed under a double B emblem comprising two “Bs” placed back-to-back. Designed by a graphic designer, Constantino de Castilla, the “Bs” were connected to each other with three diagonal lines, which represented being stitched. The brand name underneath was executed using a lightweight sans-serif typeface, similar to fonts such as FM Bolyar Sans Pro 400 and Zurich Std Roman Extended.
At the bottom of the brand name was written the small tagline “Paris”. Positioned on clothing and accessories, the double-B emblem evolved into a representation of subtle sophistication, which is a contrast to the garish branding of many Balenciaga rivals.
(2013 – 2017)
Streetwear became a major factor in fashion in the 2010s, which upended preconceived ideas about luxury. Under Demna Gvasalia’s creative supervision, Balenciaga welcomed this change by giving the brand a streetwear vibe. Once more, the logo was changed to better reflect the era’ strong and irreverent vibe.
A new, updated version of the double-B logo was unveiled by Gvasalia; it was characterised by its bigger size and a different typeface, which looked similar to Sweet Sans Medium Small Caps. The updated logo represented a purposeful break from the refined and immaculate image connected to high-end apparel. Rather, it adopted an unvarnished and raw look that appealed to a younger, more edgy crowd.
(2017 – Present)
The Balenciaga logo was up for a change when Demna Gvasalia became the company’s creative director. The logotype was made more street-style, shortened, and simplified. The typeface of the brand name was narrowed to look modern, and the edges of the letters were squeezed. The typeface looked similar to Zurich STD Bold Condensed and Shilia Condensed Heavy.
The Elements of the Balenciaga Logo
Font
The present Balenciaga logotype adopts a condensed rendition of the brand’s former font. The letters have been narrowed and elongated, which resulted in a more robust and stylish appearance. These exude brightness even without supplementary embellishments. The logotype’s font bears resemblance to Zurich STD Bold Condensed and Shilia Condensed Heavy.
Colour
The colour palette for the logo is limited, for it consistently features black as the primary colour and white as the backdrop. This straightforward combination accentuates the brand’s aristocratic demeanour and refined taste.
Finally
The development and history of the Balenciaga logo show an intriguing journey through the changing world of fashion. From its modest origins as a subdued symbol of artistry to its audacious and noticeable appearance in the period of streetwear, the logo has continuously represented the brand’s flexibility and dedication to remaining trendy.