Cristóbal Balenciaga

Cristóbal Balenciaga Eisaguirre (Guetaria, Spain, January 21, 1895 – March 23, 1972 in Valencia) was a Spanish fashion designer.

His often spare, sculptural creations—including funnel-shape gowns of stiff duchess satin worn to acclaim by clients such as Pauline de Rothschild and Mona von Bismarck —were considered masterworks of haute couture in the 1950s and 1960s.

He was born into a family of Basque ancestry.

He taught fashion design classes, inspiring other designers such as Oscar de la Renta.