1895 : Cristobal BALENCIAGA was born in GUETERIA in the Spanish Basque country.
1919 : He opens his first fashion house in SAN SEBASTIAN ; opens his second house in MADRID and a third house in BARCELONA in 1933.
1937 : He disembark on PARIS and opens his fashion house at 10 avenue George V. Presentatio of his first collection greeted with immediate success by the press and buyers.
1946-47 : Launch of the bareel-line and embroidered boleros. Creation of the first BALENCIAGA perfume : "Le Dix".
1948-49 : He opens his first BALENCIAGA shop at 10 avenue George V ; creates his second perfume : "La Fuite des Heures" that following year.
1952 : Creation of a fluid, comfortable theme. Launch of his first boxy suits.
1953 : Waistlines drop to hip level transforming the silhouette.
1955 : Creates his first tunic and third perfume : "Quadrille".
1957 : His simplified lines continue to revolutionize fashion.
1958 : Creation of the "baby doll" dresses. Abraham creates the fabric Gazar, much used by BALENCIAGA. He is awarded the Legion of Honour.
1959 : Suits are presentedwith short jackets and higher waistlines.
1961-62 : Evening gowns La Zurbaran, duennas dresses and magnificent negligées.
1963 : He launches a range of boots presented with his sports outfits.
1967 : His collection is praised for its mastery and originality. Introduction of increasignly pure and abstract forms.
1968 : He designs the air hostess uniforms for Air France and presents his last collection. He retires to his house in Spain after 30 years.
Death of CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA on 24th march 1972, in Javéa, Spain. He is buried at GUETERIA in his native Basque country.

Nicolas GHESQUIERE was born in LOUDUN in 1971.
He presents his first ready-to-wear collection for BALENCIAGA in october 1997.
2000 : He receives the VH1 Award.
June 2001 : He receives the CFDA Best Designer Award.
July 2001 : Acquisition of BALENCIAGA by GUCCI Group.
2003 Opening of the New York and the 10 avenue George V, Paris shops, designed by Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster.