Nicolas Ghesquière’s fall/winter 2006 collection for Balenciaga was an exercise in studying the past to create the future of silhouette and form. To begin, the designer went on a creative exploration into the house’s vast archives to fashion a beloved homage to brand’s late founder, Cristóbal Balenciaga.
The collection opened with a selection of cropped skirt suits and cocoon-style jackets, reminiscent of Balenciaga’s semi-fit suits of the 1950 and 60s, remade in bouclé fabrics finished with bejeweled buttons and wide collars. This modernized approach to uniform dressing was further elaborated upon in the show’s monotonous platform riding boots and tall, helmet-like hats worn atop each model’s manicured head.
Inspired by Cristóbal’s innovative use of materials to aid his exploration of silhouette and form, Ghesquière developed inventive textiles such as a wool-blended neoprene to create structured garments of unparalleled lightness and ease. Voluminous peplum tops covered in delicate beading and needlework were paired with slim cigarette trousers, a Ghesquière signature, while jackets with rounded shoulders and generous volumes paid further tribute to Balenciaga’s iconic egg silhouette.
Even when looking backwards, Ghesquière succeeded in the difficult task of keeping Balenciaga’s original designs pure, while injecting the signature minimalistic elegance for which he has become known and loved. A tightly edited 39-look collection that beautifully fused iconic elements of the past, with the future of fashion.
![Balenciaga fw 2006 muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4wmZI0gd0O48ZsG4ba0Y6u/748e30bf089b688fbfec13ab98862409/Balenciaga_FW_2006_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
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Tom Kublin
Plaid coat and skirt ensemble by Balenciaga, photographed for Jardin des Modes, November 1960
![Plaid coat and skirt ensemble by balenciaga photo tom kublin jardin des modes november 1960](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2cBZe2SsdwTZm2kg41vSki/d10fe5ad439fe2ba9d88f396676bc20a/Plaid_coat_and_skirt_ensemble_by_Balenciaga__photo_Tom_Kublin__Jardin_des_Modes_November_1960.jpg)
Koloman Moser
Wooden chair with the winding arms, 1900-1910
![Koloman moser](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7uRHnou1eKwY7Irf63V0uz/de8c86211f050fb6fa5817e989d09edd/Koloman_Moser.jpg)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
House for an Art Lover, 1901
![House for an art lover was designed in 1901 by charles rennie mackintosh](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2djRKO6VkgeZaLfSWT8KBp/441108b457c7ae554ce2f514a64c5ea7/House_for_an_Art_Lover_was_designed_in_1901_by_Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh.jpg)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Textile Design Rose and Teardrop, 1915-23
![Charles rennie mackintosh textile design rose and teardrop 1915 23](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7lL7bUQ9GzrnZmO3sflNhr/cae0e1fa1bcb4f634f4104102dd8b32e/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh__textile_design_Rose_and_Teardrop__1915-23.jpg)
Francis Picabia
The Handsome Pork-Butcher, 1924-26
![Francis picabia the handsome pork butcher 1924 26](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/51tjuP3gV1Q2Fm6zHiZDVt/791bc50c2fa64a251061f3b298614cc6/Francis_Picabia__The_Handsome_Pork-Butcher__1924-26.jpg)
Henry Van de Velde
Bloemenwerf House, 1896
![Henry van de velde bloemenwerf house 1896](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5xENs28NEbMdJJvHzlvkH3/86a6b1e979b77551a3cc822c12bf1bcd/Henry_Van_de_Velde__Bloemenwerf_House__1896.jpg)
David Bailey
Jean Shrimpton photographed wearing Mary Quant, 1960s
![Jean shrimpton wearing mary quant 1960 s by david bailey](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Abp2kna6Mc4ndsMZrRoSr/ae7b4b1c9ab26556de73df310aecf420/Jean_Shrimpton_wearing_Mary_Quant__1960_s_by_David_Bailey.jpg)
Charles Sheeler
Untitled, 1938-1939
![Charles sheeler untitled ca. 1938 1939](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4b516ncGT4sgX4iRe7vpVI/41e03949f073c1447d188361c779df42/Charles_Sheeler__Untitled__ca._1938-1939.jpg)
Dagobert Peche
Large Table Lamp, 1922
![Dagobert peche very rare large table lamp 1922](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6JIpBPxNyebekIXQAnGs0S/f6a3dc235e980d49e82cddc62a1e22b9/DAGOBERT_PECHE__Very_rare_large_table_lamp__1922.jpeg)
Edward Hopper
Coast Guard Station, Two Lights, Maine, 1927
![Dward hopper coast guard station two lights maine 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6moUzbBo0sKgUA7d9DlYGv/f5d80be6a1434f68d640fad680745206/dward_Hopper__Coast_Guard_Station__Two_Lights__Maine__1927.jpg)
Émile Gallé
Autumn Crocus, 1900
![Emile galle autumn crocus c. 1900. glas](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1qX5QXluZfwTdSkRIDbLpp/28d4d00f0e6d2b075a6984737034ffe1/emile-galle__Autumn_Crocus__c._1900._Glas.png)
Frantisek Kupka
Reminiscence of a Cathedral, 1920-23
![Frantisek kupka reminiscence of a cathedral 1920 23](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4HhFKUvtn2g5C5hLFuHpZP/260577a7d25729c8b41161189b233a06/Frantisek_Kupka__Reminiscence_of_a_Cathedral__1920_23.jpg)
Gerrit Rietveld
Beugelfauteuil, 1927
![Gerrit rietveld beugelfauteuil 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5FIkoGWjmJDMAQVtSZhdTO/2f76316057bb9039c10afcb711f005d9/Gerrit_Rietveld__Beugelfauteuil__1927.jpg)
Josef Hoffmann
Side Chair, Model no. 371, 1908
![Josef hoffmann rare side chair model no. 371 1908](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6eXtS3wHYoBrWLrr451hmC/ca25a133f930938eb0ac35f6ae390a4e/JOSEF_HOFFMANN__Rare_side_chair__Model_no._371__1908.png)
Josef Hoffmann
Table Lamp, 1910
![Josef hoffmann tablelamp 1910](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6F28dk3AAj2t91OL1SYxzD/68749de842714622fb33897b4420c415/Josef-Hoffmann-TableLamp__1910.jpg)
Koloman Moser
Cabinet, 1903
![Koloman moser cabinet ca 1903](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4MbfoxyuX3O2Fu1wIlDdsA/a328d956e305fe9de54fd5e83e20a86f/Koloman_Moser__Cabinet__ca_1903.png)
L'Officiel Magazine
Balenciaga, 1967
![L officiel magazine 1967 balenciaga](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3E1axPlDicH61g5NeXZxvV/e72645efc4fa6186dfd6eb0fb4f51f95/L_Officiel_magazine_1967_Balenciaga.jpg)
Josef Hoffmann
Lattice Vase, Vienna, 1905
![Lattice vase josef hoffmann vienna 1905](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6kCNSLg7PSCB2mUFJhD7G6/0bd8840ec636411b5266f88175c0a406/Lattice_Vase__Josef_Hoffmann__Vienna__1905.jpg)
Winslow Homer
West Point Prout's Neck, 1900
![Winslow homer west point prouts neck 1900](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3Z1X6GsEK4NXQDkHV4YQKp/b471c91f7648dca0341692d216295c9f/Winslow_Homer_West_Point_Prouts_Neck__1900.jpg)
References
![Plaid coat and skirt ensemble by balenciaga photo tom kublin jardin des modes november 1960](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2cBZe2SsdwTZm2kg41vSki/d10fe5ad439fe2ba9d88f396676bc20a/Plaid_coat_and_skirt_ensemble_by_Balenciaga__photo_Tom_Kublin__Jardin_des_Modes_November_1960.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Tom Kublin
Plaid coat and skirt ensemble by Balenciaga, photographed for Jardin des Modes, November 1960
1 of 19
![Koloman moser](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7uRHnou1eKwY7Irf63V0uz/de8c86211f050fb6fa5817e989d09edd/Koloman_Moser.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Koloman Moser
Wooden chair with the winding arms, 1900-1910
2 of 19
![House for an art lover was designed in 1901 by charles rennie mackintosh](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2djRKO6VkgeZaLfSWT8KBp/441108b457c7ae554ce2f514a64c5ea7/House_for_an_Art_Lover_was_designed_in_1901_by_Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
House for an Art Lover, 1901
3 of 19
![Charles rennie mackintosh textile design rose and teardrop 1915 23](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7lL7bUQ9GzrnZmO3sflNhr/cae0e1fa1bcb4f634f4104102dd8b32e/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh__textile_design_Rose_and_Teardrop__1915-23.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Textile Design Rose and Teardrop, 1915-23
4 of 19
![Francis picabia the handsome pork butcher 1924 26](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/51tjuP3gV1Q2Fm6zHiZDVt/791bc50c2fa64a251061f3b298614cc6/Francis_Picabia__The_Handsome_Pork-Butcher__1924-26.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Francis Picabia
The Handsome Pork-Butcher, 1924-26
5 of 19
![Henry van de velde bloemenwerf house 1896](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5xENs28NEbMdJJvHzlvkH3/86a6b1e979b77551a3cc822c12bf1bcd/Henry_Van_de_Velde__Bloemenwerf_House__1896.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Henry Van de Velde
Bloemenwerf House, 1896
6 of 19
![Jean shrimpton wearing mary quant 1960 s by david bailey](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Abp2kna6Mc4ndsMZrRoSr/ae7b4b1c9ab26556de73df310aecf420/Jean_Shrimpton_wearing_Mary_Quant__1960_s_by_David_Bailey.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
David Bailey
Jean Shrimpton photographed wearing Mary Quant, 1960s
7 of 19
![Charles sheeler untitled ca. 1938 1939](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4b516ncGT4sgX4iRe7vpVI/41e03949f073c1447d188361c779df42/Charles_Sheeler__Untitled__ca._1938-1939.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Charles Sheeler
Untitled, 1938-1939
8 of 19
![Dagobert peche very rare large table lamp 1922](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6JIpBPxNyebekIXQAnGs0S/f6a3dc235e980d49e82cddc62a1e22b9/DAGOBERT_PECHE__Very_rare_large_table_lamp__1922.jpeg?w=1000&q=70)
Dagobert Peche
Large Table Lamp, 1922
9 of 19
![Dward hopper coast guard station two lights maine 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6moUzbBo0sKgUA7d9DlYGv/f5d80be6a1434f68d640fad680745206/dward_Hopper__Coast_Guard_Station__Two_Lights__Maine__1927.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Edward Hopper
Coast Guard Station, Two Lights, Maine, 1927
10 of 19
![Emile galle autumn crocus c. 1900. glas](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1qX5QXluZfwTdSkRIDbLpp/28d4d00f0e6d2b075a6984737034ffe1/emile-galle__Autumn_Crocus__c._1900._Glas.png?w=1000&q=70)
Émile Gallé
Autumn Crocus, 1900
11 of 19
![Frantisek kupka reminiscence of a cathedral 1920 23](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4HhFKUvtn2g5C5hLFuHpZP/260577a7d25729c8b41161189b233a06/Frantisek_Kupka__Reminiscence_of_a_Cathedral__1920_23.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Frantisek Kupka
Reminiscence of a Cathedral, 1920-23
12 of 19
![Gerrit rietveld beugelfauteuil 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5FIkoGWjmJDMAQVtSZhdTO/2f76316057bb9039c10afcb711f005d9/Gerrit_Rietveld__Beugelfauteuil__1927.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Gerrit Rietveld
Beugelfauteuil, 1927
13 of 19
![Josef hoffmann rare side chair model no. 371 1908](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6eXtS3wHYoBrWLrr451hmC/ca25a133f930938eb0ac35f6ae390a4e/JOSEF_HOFFMANN__Rare_side_chair__Model_no._371__1908.png?w=1000&q=70)
Josef Hoffmann
Side Chair, Model no. 371, 1908
14 of 19
![Josef hoffmann tablelamp 1910](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6F28dk3AAj2t91OL1SYxzD/68749de842714622fb33897b4420c415/Josef-Hoffmann-TableLamp__1910.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Josef Hoffmann
Table Lamp, 1910
15 of 19
![Koloman moser cabinet ca 1903](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4MbfoxyuX3O2Fu1wIlDdsA/a328d956e305fe9de54fd5e83e20a86f/Koloman_Moser__Cabinet__ca_1903.png?w=1000&q=70)
Koloman Moser
Cabinet, 1903
16 of 19
![L officiel magazine 1967 balenciaga](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3E1axPlDicH61g5NeXZxvV/e72645efc4fa6186dfd6eb0fb4f51f95/L_Officiel_magazine_1967_Balenciaga.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
L'Officiel Magazine
Balenciaga, 1967
17 of 19
![Lattice vase josef hoffmann vienna 1905](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6kCNSLg7PSCB2mUFJhD7G6/0bd8840ec636411b5266f88175c0a406/Lattice_Vase__Josef_Hoffmann__Vienna__1905.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Josef Hoffmann
Lattice Vase, Vienna, 1905
18 of 19
![Winslow homer west point prouts neck 1900](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3Z1X6GsEK4NXQDkHV4YQKp/b471c91f7648dca0341692d216295c9f/Winslow_Homer_West_Point_Prouts_Neck__1900.jpg?w=1000&q=70)