Balenciaga Shoes, Bags & Accessories Now Online

Balenciaga has recently launched their own website, Balenciaga.com, which as well as featuring the videos of the latest collections, allows customers based in the States to buy their latest footwear, bags, frangrances and accessories online.

The website features tempting Balenciaga footwear, including the elegant and ornate Facets Sandal, with ankle strap and enamel faceted 4.5 inch heel, decorated in turquoise stones; mere snip at $1,795 US. Better known to the uninitiated for their glamorous and warrior-like gladiator sandals, these are positively demure by comparison.

Shop for handbags and you’ll find a tempting array of top handles, totes, clutches and shoulder bags, from Balenciaga’s City and Weekender to the Lune clutch purse and the striking Cherche Midi Chain Link.

Balenciaga Fall 2008 Collection

On the site you can also view the latest Balenciaga fall collection with sleek, slimline trousers and chic cropped jackets, cut-out evening dresses, which have renewed the appeal of the LBD. According to Marie Claire, UK edition, August 2008, “if one label sums up the new (fall) season; it’s Balenciaga. With their stylish pieces, defining a sleek silhouette, Nicolas Ghesquière’s Fall Balenciaga collection, epitomizes the lady-like elegant on this season’s designs.

The History of Balenciaga

For fans of the label there is also a short history of the fashion house on the site. Founded in 1918, Cristobal Balenciaga’s first couture house opened in San Sébastian, Spain. The brand grew in popularity over the next 20 years, seeing stores opening in Madrid, Barcelona and Paris. Over the course of the next 60 years, time saw Cristobal close his couture fashion house and family nephews taking over ownership the label after his death, in 1972. However, in 1986, control was passed to Hoechst and then to Groupe Jacques Bogart.

Today, the House of Balenciaga is under the wing of the Gucci Group, with Nicolas Ghesquière (former Balenciaga designer) as creative director of the ready-to-wear collection and accessories.

The Balenciaga Online Store

Currently online purchases can be made by US residents only, via Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Those outside of the US need to deal direct with one of Balenciaga’s futuristic stores or a House of Balenciaga stockist. There is an international store locator listing on the website.

However, shopping online does take away the real Balenciaga experience, as shopping in every Balenciaga store is unique. Visit the New York store, for example and you’ll see a concept of interactive rocks and lightening. Visit Paris and you’ll find a cave animated by sparkling lights and asteroids, and has an underground pool passage. Hong Kong offers a mountain landscape and the Milan store (first floor) is inspired by a space shuttle, robotic theme.

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