Balenciaga, Vogue's missing link

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American Vogue glaringly omitted Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga in its "The Designers Who Defined a Decade" feature so I delved into some back issues of the magazine and found the following great shots!



This is Keira Knightley in a black wool-crepe molded dress from Balenciaga's Fall 2008 Collection. Its to-the-knee length, squared-off neckline, peplum and slit make it an L.B.D. of the most flattering sort. This fashion story, set within Berlin's art scene was called "Wanderlust", styled by Grace Coddington and shot by Mario Testino.



"Pale Fire" shot by David Sims for the March 2009 issue of Vogue focused on the tea-stained and blush-toned shades of the season. Even this high-tech, jersey-crepe jacket and pant suit gets a soft spin thanks to its vintage peachy hue. The top has attached gloves and the heels, attached tights. Grace Coddington was the fashion editor.



For the September 2009 issue, Steven Meisel photographed "In the Mood" an Autumnal story set in the New York Fall of 1942. The "wartime" women wear abstract-floral printed silk dresses.
Again, Grace Coddington was the fashion editor.



In the March 2006 issue, Hamish Bowles interviewed Nicolas Ghesquière as he delved into the archives of Christóbal Balenciaga. The great (and now late) Irving Penn shot the acompanying editorial story which included some of his original portraits. Shown here in 1950, Penn's wife Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn in a dress of chiffon petals. Clearly inspired by the texture and emotion of the original Ghesquière designed a voluminous ecru "yeti" wool coat exclusively for Vogue. Phyllis Posnick was the fashion editor.


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