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From left: ivory and pink patterned silk dress (Balenciaga, 1960) that belonged to Jeanne Carola; pale blue silk shantung dress (Balenciaga, 1970) that belonged to Jeanne Carola; dark silk dress (Christian Dior, 1970) that belonged to Paola Carola; dress with worked green silk bodice and pink silk skirt (Balenciaga, 1970) that belonged to Paola Carola; patterned crêpe de chine dress (Yves Saint Laurent, 1970) that belonged to Paola Carola
Donated by Baron Paul Thorel.
Balenciaga was born in Getaria, a fishing town in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, on January 21, 1895. His mother was a seamstress, and as a child Balenciaga often spent time with her as she worked. At the age of twelve, he began work as the apprentice of a tailor. When Balenciaga was a teenager, the Marchioness de Casa Torres, the foremost noblewoman in his town, became his customer and patron. She sent him to Madrid, where he was formally trained in tailoring. (Balenciaga is notable as one ...