Balenciaga In Black

Sunday October 7, 2018, the Kimbell Art Museum opened an exhibition on the infamous Balenciaga: “Balenciaga in Black.” Elaine attended the opening of the exhibition and highly recommends a visit. The exhibition consists of over 100 garments made by Mr. Balenciaga himself. As compared to the designers of his time, Balenciaga hand crafted garments that were known for the structural genuity. His knowledge and precision of apparel construction is beyond rare in today’s fashion industry because of the genius; he used pleats, darts, boning, plackets, and other shaping devices to make these unusually beautiful shaped garments. No other designer knows more about the phrase “black is always in style” better than Cristóbal himself. When he makes the patterns for his garments, he would start off my draping it over a mannequin to see how it would hang on the body and began to make architecturally stiff patterns that are shown in the exhibition. As you go through the exhibition, you’ll see the progression of his elaborate risks that made for spectacular gowns. Christian Dior once said, “ With fabrics we [designers] do what we can. Balenciaga does what he wants.” This amazing collection of Balenciaga won’t be around long – only until January 6, 2019. Visit the Kimbell to see a fashion legends legacy. After all, art deserves to be seen.