It’s all sparkle and silhouette at the new Balenciaga Museum in Spain’s northern Basque Country. Celebrating all things related to the fashion house established in 1914 by Spanish-born designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, the new museum, located in Balenciaga’s birthplace of Getaria, houses a collection of 1,200 pieces. Credited with transforming the silhouette of women’s clothing with his bold trapeze line dresses, short jackets and high waists, Balenciago was favored by famous women including Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly. He designed the wedding gowns for both Queen Fabiola of Belgium and María del Carmen Martínez-Bordiú, who became the Duchess of Cadiz.

The son of a seamstress, Balenciaga came under the patronage of a noblewoman who arranged for him to receive professional training as a tailor in Madrid. Worn by royalty and Spanish aristocracy, his designs received international acclaim, leading to his success within the demanding, heady world of Paris couture. Nearly as stunning as its contents, the new museum building — designed by Cuban architect Julián Argilagos — is an annex to a villa overlooking Getaria. The villa was once the private home of Balenciaga’s patrons, the Marqués and Marquesa of Casa Torres.

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