In 1937, Cristóbal presents his first Parisian haute couture collection. Despite his success in Spain, the beginnings in Paris are difficult. The reviews are lukewarm and there are few commissions. Cristóbal fears that the business may fail, and he doubts his talent as a designer. He searches for a style of his own that defines his work.
A Matter of Style
In Paris in 1937, after a successful career in Spain, Cristóbal Balenciaga and his partners present his first Parisian haute couture collection. However, the beginnings are more difficult than expected: the reviews are lukewarm and there are few commissions. Cristóbal fears that the business may fail, especially because his partners, Nicolas and Virgilia Bizkarrondo, have invested all they have in the firm. He also doubts his talent as a designer and his ability to match up to the haute couture houses in Paris. He knows he has to find a style of his own that defines his work.