McCord Museum 2018: Cristóbal Balenciaga

BALENCIAGA - MASTER OF COUTURE
NORTH AMERICAN EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE

June 15 - October 14, 2018

This exhibition, the North American exclusive premiere, is a major fashion exhibition organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) of London. It is presented at the Montreal's McCord Museum by Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy.

The exhibition examines what made Cristóbal Balenciaga’s creations so special, offering a close perspective on the design of the garments and the precise skills that went into their making. His legacy is also portrayed through the display at McCord of creations by his protégés like Courrèges and Ungaro, who trained and worked at his Paris salon, and also through his self-proclaimed followers of the late 20th century and today.

Revered by his contemporaries and equally by the later decades fashion designers, Cristóbal Balenciaga represents the pinnacle of haute couture in the 1950s and 1960s. His exquisite craftsmanship, which pioneered the fabrics' innovative cutting and use, set the tone for the modernity of the late 20th century fashion.

There are some 80 garments on display at this exhibition, along with hats and accessories, drawn mainly from the V&A's extensive fashion holdings—the largest collection of Balenciaga in the UK. There are also sketches, photographs and fabric samples that contextualize the garments and patterns, while X-rays, toiles and film are used to reveal details how the garments were constructed and made.

Suzanne Sauvage, President and Chief Executive Officer of the McCord Museum, stated:

"We are thrilled to be the only North American venue for this unique exhibition highlighting the artistry of one of the 20th century’s greatest fashion designers....The exhibition is an opportunity for the Museum to present several Cristóbal Balenciaga dresses from its collection, in addition to offering insight into his lasting impact on generations of designers and the history and evolution of haute couture. Balenciaga's inspiration and influence continue to this day."

Very popular in Montreal

Something that people may not know is that Balenciaga was also very much a part of the imported fashion scene in Montreal. Beginning in 1939, the city's department stores offered seasonal glimpses of Balenciaga gowns in their fashion shows. Until the late 1960s, Holt Renfrew, Eaton's and Morgan's (now The Bay) each imported a few Balenciaga models and showed them to potential clients. Balenciaga garments were also featured in a Paris couture show brought to Montreal for Expo 67.

Thanks to this interest in Balenciaga, the great Spanish designer, the McCord Museum has gradually acquired some fifteen Balenciaga garments for its Dress, Fashion and Textiles collection. The exhibition features four of the most exquisite items in the McCord collection.

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For more information, visit the McCord Museum website.