Cristobal Balenciaga is widely considered to be one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. The Spanish couturier, who opened his first fashion house in San Sebastián, Spain in 1919, quickly gained a reputation for his impeccable tailoring and innovative designs. Balenciaga’s work was characterized by a focus on precision, clean lines, and a mastery of fabric manipulation.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Balenciaga’s designs became increasingly avant-garde, and he was credited with introducing the concept of the “”sack dress”” and the “”baby doll”” look. He was also known for his use of unusual fabrics and his experimentation with new silhouettes. Despite his innovative designs, Balenciaga’s fashion house struggled financially and closed in 1968.

Despite this setback, Balenciaga’s influence on fashion has remained strong, and his designs continue to be referenced by contemporary designers. In 2016, the fashion house was relaunched with Demna Gvasalia at the creative helm, and has since gained a cult following for its streetwear-inspired collections and experimental designs. The brand is widely recognized as one of the most influential in the fashion industry, and continues to push the boundaries of contemporary fashion.

Recently Balenciaga’s advertising has landed itself in some hot water. In November 2022, Balenciaga faced backlash for an advertising campaign posted on their Instagram account which featured children holding teddy bears dressed in BDSM and bondage gear. The brand faced heavy criticism and removed the posts. The photographer, Gabriele Galimberti, stated that the children and objects in the photos were selected by Balenciaga. The brand also apologized for an earlier advertisement that featured a $3,000 Balenciaga handbag amongst papers including text from a Supreme Court case on child pornography. Balenciaga announced they were taking legal action against the production company and set designer involved for $25 million, but later dropped the legal action. The use of controversial props by Balenciaga was seen as an attempt at shock advertising.

Rare Vintage Footage of Balenciaga Couture

How to tell if Balenciaga is vintage from the Logo

The evolution of Balenciaga’s logo is a reflection of the brand’s dynamic history and its adaptation to changing fashion trends. From its inception in 1917 to the present day, Balenciaga’s logo has undergone several transformations, each marking a significant era in the brand’s journey. Understanding these changes is crucial for vintage fashion enthusiasts and collectors who wish to authenticate Balenciaga pieces. This guide provides a detailed overview of the different logos used by Balenciaga from 1917 to the present, helping you identify vintage items and appreciate the brand’s storied past.

1917 to 2013

• The original Balenciaga logo was a combination of an emblem and text.
• The emblem is two B’s with three lines connecting them.
• The text is all capitalised but is relatively thin.
• Whilst this was the brands main logo, alternatives were used on early tags including a script logo with hand written like font.
• This logo is monochrome.
  

  1917 to 2013 vintage Balenciaga logo

2013 to 2017

• The second Balenciaga logo dropped the emblem.
• The font is similar, however is slightly thicker.

2017 to now

• The most recent Balenciaga logo is a small change on its predecessor.
• The font is again slightly thicker.
• And elongated vertically.

How to tell if Balenciaga is vintage from the Neck Tags

The tags on Balenciaga garments offer a unique insight into the brand’s evolution and can be a valuable tool for identifying and authenticating vintage pieces. From the couture-focused designs of the 1950s to the modern luxury streetwear tags of the 2010s, each era of Balenciaga’s history is marked by distinct tag styles. This guide explores the various tags used by Balenciaga over the decades, highlighting key features and differences that can help you determine the age and authenticity of your Balenciaga items. Whether you’re a collector or a fashion enthusiast, this overview will enhance your understanding of Balenciaga’s rich legacy.

Need help with those vintage tags? Submit a picture on our vintage tag identification page, and we’ll handle the rest!

1950s vintage Balenciaga tags

• Original 1950s Balenciaga pieces will often have been couture and very different from the type of Balenciaga seen in stores nowadays.
• The tags were wide rectangles.
• The text logo was used.
• With the location of the fashion house included.

1960s vintage Balenciaga tags

• As Balenciaga’s popularity grew, a wider variety of tags would be used across a wider variety of garments.
• Many of them used the text logo.
• And often referred to the location of the fashion house or the country of manufacture being France.
• The tags were white or slightly off white.

1980s vintage Balenciaga tags

• When Balenciaga became a more known brand the tags became more uniform.
• A simplistic design was used which usually just had the logo, with the word Paris.
• Some of these tags had small sizing tags attached as well or the sizing on the tag.

2000s vintage Balenciaga tags

• The brand started to set its sights outside of runway and couture fashion in the 2000s.
• The classic emblem was used on some of these tags.

2010s vintage Balenciaga tags

• Since Balenciaga pivoted to a luxury streetwear brand, it updated its logo, designs and as a result the tags are very different to predecessors.
• The new logo is used on either white or black rectangles.
• Polyester washtags are included at the waist with the size and care information.