Ottieni Epub The Master of Us All: Balenciaga, His
Workrooms, His World
By Mary Blume
A sparkling life of the monumental fashion designer Crist?bal
BalenciagaOne of the most innovative and admired figures in the history
of haute couture, Crist?bal Balenciaga was, said Christian Dior, "the
master of us all."Despite his extraordinary impact, Balenciaga was a man
hidden from view. He saw to it that little was known about him, to the
point that some French journalists wondered if he existed at all. Even his
most devoted clients?Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, a clutch of
Rothschilds?never met him.But one woman knew Balenciaga very well
indeed. The first person he hired when he opened his Paris house was
Florette Chelot, who became his top vendeuse. She witnessed the
spectacular success of his first collection, and they worked closely for
more than thirty years, until 1968, when Balenciaga abruptly closed his
house without telling any of his staff. Youth-oriented fashion was taking
over, Paris was in upheaval, and the elder statesman wanted no part of
it.In The Master of
