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.
The History of Balenciaga
Step into the time machine, and let’s journey back to 1917, where the illustrious tradition of Balenciaga unfurls its first chapter. Picture this: a trailblazing Spanish designer by the name of Cristóbal Balenciaga, setting the stage for a fashion revolution, flings open the doors of his inaugural store in the charming town of San Sebastián, Spain.
Balenciaga, the maestro of innovation, didn’t just design clothes; he spun tales of fabric that bewitched the elite. In the blink of an eye, his designs, oozing flawless taste and dripping with innovation, cast their spell on the rich and famous—nobility included. In fact, even the Spanish royal family succumbed to the allure of Balenciaga’s artistic wizardry. The fashion world had found its virtuoso, and the Balenciaga tradition was born.
But the start of the Spanish Civil War changed the course of Balenciaga’s successful career. He grudgingly terminated his Spanish business and fled quickly to France, thereby leaving his clientele in a state of turmoil. He had no idea that this calculated action would end up being the crucial turning point in his career. Balenciaga started a process of restructuring after moving to Paris.
He had managed a successful renaissance by 1937, when he opened a couture house on Avenue George V. Balenciaga changed women’s fashion in the following decades and left his mark with a unique style that won over the hearts and minds of many women. His innovative creations were sought after by clients like Jackie Kennedy, Gloria Guinness, Pauline de Rothschild, Bunny Mellon, Marella Agnelli, Hope Portocarrero, and Mona von Bismarck.
The fashion business was radically changed by Balenciaga’s unmatched contributions to haute couture. His legacy lives on, and he is regarded as one of the best designers of all time, even though he left the fashion industry in the late 1960s. After Balenciaga retired in 1968, the fashion house went into two decades of inactivity. Jacques Bogart S.A. obtained the name’s rights in 1986 and then debuted the first Balenciaga ready-to-wear collection, “Le Dix”. Later, after Kering bought the label, its ownership changed.
The spirit of the Cristóbal Balenciaga-conceived fashion house remains intact despite changes of ownership. The company is still associated with futuristic, avant-garde items that deftly balance the line between high couture and ready-to-wear. However, its motorcycle-inspired handbags often bring in more money than its clothing.
Interesting Facts About Balenciaga
- Christian Dior once called Cristóbal Balenciaga “the master of us all”, while praising his technical skills and innovative designs.
- Balenciaga introduced bold, new shapes, including the sack dress, balloon jacket, and baby doll dress. He thus made the shift away from the hourglass silhouettes of the 1950s.
- In 1955, Balenciaga created his first tunic and launched his third perfume, Quadrille.
- In 1958, Cristóbal Balenciaga was awarded the Legion of Honour.
- The bridal tunic dress, which he designed in 1967, laid the foundation for the modern minimalist wedding dress.
- Cristóbal Balenciaga closed the fashion house in 1968 before passing away in 1972. The brand was revived in 1986 and became a powerhouse in luxury fashion.
- In the early 2000s, Balenciaga (under Nicolas Ghesquière) experimented with materials like neoprene, plastic, and metallic fabrics, and influenced the futuristic fashion trend.
- The Balenciaga Triple S sneaker, launched in 2017, played a major role in the rise of the chunky “dad sneaker” trend.
- In 2022, Balenciaga released a $1,790 “Trash Pouch” bag, which resembled a garbage bag and made headlines for its bold take on luxury fashion.
- The Met Gala look of Kim Kardashian in 2021 was inspired by Balenciaga. Her all-black masked bodysuit, designed by Balenciaga, became one of the most talked-about Met Gala looks ever.
- Under creative director Demna (Gvasalia), Balenciaga has shocked audiences with innovative runway concepts, such as models walking through snowstorms and dystopian floodwater settings.
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.