Cristóbal Balenciaga: an icon on TV as he was in fashion

In 1942, the Marchioness of Llanzol tried to negotiate a lower price for one of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s designs. Her reasoning was that she was expecting a baby, and the suit would have to be adjusted after giving birth. His pithy reply: “Madam, I am not responsible.” I like to think that if someone could have asked him in a hypothetical afterlife about Cristóbal Balenciaga, the amazing Disney+ television series, he would have given the same answer. It’s easy to imagine that a genius who so disliked attention would have been unhappy about being the focus of a television series. Easy and useless.

A television series and a fashion collection share a connection: they are both artistic expressions, created through collaborative efforts and often influenced by market demands. Although we can’t ask the long-dead Balenciaga what he thinks about the TV series, we can confidently say that Cristóbal Balenciaga is very Balenciaga.

Crafted by Lourdes Iglesias, Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, this series is television at its finest. Special recognition is due to the impeccable work of Bina Daigler and Pepo Ruiz Dorado in costume design, as well as Alberto Iglesias for the captivating soundtrack. Playing the man himself is the exceptional Alberto San Juan. Drawing inspiration from Cristóbal Balenciaga’s designs (brilliantly recreated by Judith Thurman), the series is more important for what it conceals rather than what it reveals. Fortunately, it intentionally maintains an air of ambiguity surrounding its protagonist.

In an entertainment industry saturated with prêt-à-porter products, this series stands out for its artistic vision, purpose, and unique perspective. After seeing it, you will want to echo Myrtle Snow, the eccentric witch from Season 3 of American Horror Story, who trumpeted “Balenciaga!” before drawing her last breath.

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