[Item #4816] Balenciaga and Spain. Hamish Bowles, Cristobal Balenciaga.
Balenciaga and Spain
Balenciaga and Spain

Balenciaga and Spain

ISBN: 9780847836468
New York, NY: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco/ Skira Rizzoli Publications, Inc., 2011. First Edition. Hardcover. "This unprecedented volume considers the profound and enduring impact of Spain's history, art, and culture on one of the greatest designers of the twentieth century, the legendary Cristobal Balenciaga. Hailed as "fashion's Picasso" by Cecil Beaton, Balenciaga created a revolutionary oeuvre that transformed the way women dressed. From the opening of his Paris fashion house in 1937 until his retirement in 1968, his visionary, ever-evolving designs and impeccable tailoring seduced generations of the most fashionable women in the world, including Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, the Duchess of Windsor, Gloria Guinness, Pauline de Rothschild, Mona Bismarck, Princess Grace of Monaco, Doris Duke, and Diana Vreeland." (from front flap) A lavish, monumental study of the work of Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972), the iconic Spanish fashion designer, with an emphasis on how the rich cultural, architectural & artistic heritage of Spain influenced his designs. Published on the occasion of a major exhibition at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, this is a large & beautiful "coffee table" production, hardcover in illustrated cloth with transparent plastic dust jacket. With many illustrations of Balenciaga's drawings & completed, modeled dresses; as well as the classic Spanish works by Diego Velazquez, Pablo Picasso, Juan Miro et al. that echo in his designs. Edited & with a lengthy, informative introduction by Hamish Bowles, the acclaimed British fashion journalist. With a foreword by Museum Director John E. Buchanan, Jr. & an appreciation by Baroness Philippe de Rothschild. First hardcover edition, published simultaneously with a softcover edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence on copyright page. A most essential Balenciaga-related rarity; a sumptuous delight for lovers of beauty in fashion & art. Book in very fine condition with only a touch of wear to edges & corners of front, back covers & spine; one tiny bump at mid-lower edge of back cover. Interior very fine with only hardly visible residue of fingerprints at blank black areas of copyright page, otherwise substantially mint. Dust jacket near-fine with mild-to-moderate rubbing to front, back covers, spine & flaps (but with all white lettering on front cover, flaps completely bright & intact); a bit of wear at edges & corners of same. An extra handling charge will be added for shipping due to the weight of this item. Very Fine / Near Fine. [Item #4816]

Price: $100.00