Museo Balenciaga in Getaria Preserves Legacy of Spanish Couturier
Established in 2011, the Museo Balenciaga in Getaria, close to San Sebastián, honors the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972). The museum boasts a modern structure designed by Studio AV62 alongside the historic 19th-century Palacio Aldamar. Its extensive collection comprises over 5,000 garments donated by notable figures such as Mona von Bismarck, Rachel L. Mellon, and Grace Kelly. The exhibition "Cristobal Balenciaga. Tecnica, Materia e Forma," curated by Igor Uria and open until January 11, displays around one hundred haute couture items. A permanent exhibit traces Balenciaga's career from 1907 to his Paris atelier established in 1937. Additionally, the research initiative "Le mani che cuciono" gathers stories from collaborators, while a temporary exhibition contrasts historical pieces with recent works by Demna (2015–2024). The educational program "Transmissions" showcases designs by international students.
Key facts
- Museo Balenciaga opened in 2011 in Getaria, Spain.
- Museum building designed by Studio AV62 of Barcelona.
- Collection includes over 5,000 garments from clients like Grace Kelly and Mona von Bismarck.
- Exhibition 'Cristobal Balenciaga. Tecnica, Materia e Forma' runs until January 11, curated by Igor Uria.
- Permanent room documents Balenciaga's career from 1907 to 1968.
- Research project 'Le mani che cuciono' started in 2014.
- Temporary show pairs historical pieces with Demna's collections.
- Educational project 'Transmissions' features works from schools like Accademia Costume e Moda and IED.
Entities
Artists
- Cristóbal Balenciaga
- Pierpaolo Piccioli
- Demna
- Igor Uria
- Hubert de Givenchy
- Mona von Bismarck
- Rachel L. Mellon
- Barbara Hutton
- Grace Kelly
- Fabiola de Mora y Aragón
- Sonsoles Díaz de Rivera
- Sebastian Elcano
Institutions
- Museo Balenciaga
- Studio AV62
- Palacio Aldamar
- Balenciaga (maison)
- Kering
- Accademia Costume e Moda
- IED (Istituto Europeo di Design)
- Artribune
Locations
- Getaria
- Spain
- San Sebastián
- Paris
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Avenue Georges V
- Basque Country
- Switzerland
- Italy
- Rome
- Milan