Who owns Balenciaga?

Balenciaga is owned by Kering.

What is Balenciaga?

Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house founded in 1919 by Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián, Spain, and currently based in Paris, France. The brand is known for its innovative and avant-garde designs in high-end fashion collections, including ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, footwear, and handbags. Balenciaga also creates fragrances, having launched its first perfume, “Le Dix,” in 1947.

The brand is recognized for its bold and contemporary designs, often incorporating unique silhouettes and artistic elements. Today, Balenciaga operates as a subsidiary of the French multinational corporation Kering, which acquired a significant stake in the company in 2001.

Current ownership

Balenciaga is a fully-owned subsidiary of French luxury goods conglomerate Kering.

Balenciaga ownership history

• 1919: Cristóbal Balenciaga founds Balenciaga.
• 1968: Cristóbal Balenciaga closed the fashion house.
• 1972: Cristóbal Balenciaga dies, and Hoechst AG acquires the remaining assets.
• 1986: Jacques Bogart SA acquired the rights to Balenciaga from Hoechst AG and relaunched the brand with a ready-to-wear collection under the direction of Michel Goma.
• 2001: Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (now known as Kering), a French multinational, acquired a 91% stake in Balenciaga.
• 2006: Kering purchased Balenciaga’s perfume brand from The Bogart Group, becoming the sole owner of the company.

Balenciaga leadership

CEO: Cedric Charbit

This information about Balenciaga leadership is correct as of the time of writing.

Major competitors

Gucci

A renowned Italian luxury fashion house, known for its modern, innovative, and eclectic designs. Gucci offers a wide range of products, including ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, and accessories, appealing to a similar high-fashion consumer base as Balenciaga. It is worth noting that Gucci and Balenciaga share the same ownership.

Louis Vuitton

A French fashion house and luxury goods company, Louis Vuitton is a key competitor in the high-end market. It is famous for its leather goods, particularly handbags and luggage, as well as a comprehensive range of fashion items and accessories. Louis Vuitton is owned by Kering’s major rival in the international luxury goods business, LVMH.

Prada

An Italian luxury fashion house, Prada specializes in leather handbags, travel accessories, shoes, ready-to-wear, perfumes, and other fashion accessories. Known for its minimalist and sophisticated designs, Prada competes in the same upscale fashion segment as Balenciaga.

Balenciaga history

• 1917: Cristóbal Balenciaga opens his first haute couture house in San Sebastián, Spain.
• 1919: Balenciaga is founded.
• 1937: Balenciaga moves to Paris and establishes his fashion house there, presenting his first collection to immediate success.
• 1947: Creation of the first Balenciaga perfume, “Le Dix”.
• 1951-1959: Introduction of various fashion lines and designs, including the Vareuse, “Cocoon” line, boxy suits, and “Baby Doll” dresses.
• 1968: Cristóbal Balenciaga presents his last collection and retires after 30 years of innovation in the fashion industry.
• 1972: Death of Cristóbal Balenciaga.
• 1986: The rights to Balenciaga are acquired by Jacques Bogart SA from Hoechst AG, and the brand is relaunched with a new ready-to-wear collection.
• 1997: Nicolas Ghesquière becomes the Creative Director of Balenciaga.
• 2001: French multinational Pinault-Printemps-Redoute acquires a 91% stake in Balenciaga.
• 2006: Pinault-Printemps-Redoute purchases Balenciaga’s perfume brand from The Bogart Group, becoming the sole owner of the company.
• 2012: Alexander Wang is appointed Creative Director of Balenciaga.
• 2013: Pinault-Printemps-Redoute rebrands to Kering.
• 2015: Demna Gvasalia is appointed Artistic Director of the collections.
• 2016: Presentation of the first men’s runway show for the SS 2017 collection by Balenciaga.
• 2021: Demna Gvasalia re-launches the Couture collection after 50 years of absence.
• 2022: Opening of the Couture store in Paris at the historical address of the House, 10 avenue George V.