Balenciaga, a Spanish luxury fashion house, was founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917. Cristóbal was revered as a master of haute couture, pioneering designs such as the tunic dress and the balloon jacket. Balenciaga is renowned today for its innovative and often audacious designs, with popular products including the Triple S sneakers, Speed Trainers, and City Bag. Under Demna Gvasalia's creative direction, the brand's unique approach combines high fashion with streetwear influences, pushing the boundaries of Element silhouettes. Balenciaga has collaborated with various brands, including Gucci in a "hacking" project in 2021 that involved borrowing and remixing iconic designs, a high-fashion reinterpretation of Crocs' classic clogs, and a partnership with adidas to reimagine classic sneaker styles.
