Balenciaga HQ returns it’s a fact! The luxury fashion house has recently returned not only to the old values from before the scandals but also to the historic Parisian headquarters of its founder. When Cristobal Balenciaga in 1937 he moved to France, and placed the fashion house, which had been in existence for two decades, at 10 avenue George V. Now, as part of the return to its roots, the brand’s management has decided to install its haute couture atelier there. The six-story building will also house offices and design studios.
A place with history
In the building where Cristóbal Balenciaga lived until 1968, you can still feel his presence. It is there outstanding designer t he created innovative and groundbreaking creations. His design was known for its perfect construction, perfect cuts and unique aesthetics. Undoubtedly, this place was of great importance to Balenciaga, becoming source of inspiration. The name of the first perfume is sufficient proof of this. “Le Dix”, refers to the address number where the commemorative plaque now stands.
source: vogue.co.uk
The return of Balenciaga’s headquarters has been on the horizon for some time. Two years ago, the iconic building reopened, hosting the first haute couture show under the current creative director Demny Gvasalia. It was already then a signal that the brand is planning to return to the haute couture business, which it had discontinued 53 years earlier. Since then, Balenciaga has organized two more shows in this aesthetic there. The last one took place on July 5. During it, two fashion icons, Isabelle Huppert and Inès de la Fressange, appeared next to each other as models.
Balenciaga HQ returns in grand style
We already know that The interior of the headquarters at 10 Avenue George V has been completely renovated and enlarged. Thanks to renovations that are proceeding at lightning speed, the old/new premises will double in size. The Balenciaga atlier currently extends to No. 12 on Avenue George V, annexing the space above the adjacent Crazy Horse nightclub.
A haute couture and ready-to-wear atelier was added, as well as new offices. But this wasn’t a ground-up job. The building on Avenue George V was extensively renovated in 2020. “Previous architectural iterations were improved upon during the renovation of the building, originally designed by Albert Le Voisvenel in 1887 and then renovated by Christos Bellos under the aegis of Cristóbal Balenciaga,” the brand said. Still, now was the time to The return of Balenciaga headquarters will be in their own style.
Modern in every way – Balenciaga’s HQ returns to Paris
Despite the architectural ambitions of the specialists hired by the brand, it seems that from the beginning of this transformation the intention was to bring a new spirit to the old space. A similar situation occurred recently during the opening of a new salon Hermes in Aspen. The return of the Balenciaga headquarters is therefore really about breathing new life into it, while maintaining respect for what is traditional.
source: dezeen.com
“I set out to recreate the original living rooms from that era in as much detail as possible, and also to create an authentically aged, dusty effect in the interiors, as if the apartments had been reopened after being abandoned for more than half a century,” Demna wrote online. “The newly opened spaces feature high-tech updates and modern touches, such as dark smoked glass that separates the raw walls, creating a place where Balenciaga’s past, present and future live in harmony and”.