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"All of the major, well-known fashion houses in the world have a certain niche audience and are known for a particular look; for instance, Chanel is famous for their use of black and white and pearls, Balmain for their use of punk rock couture, and Balenciaga for futuristic fashion. Founded in 1918 by Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga, the fashion house is now headed by creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere, who has been perhaps more critically acclaimed and praised than any other designer today. Ghesquiere is a self-taught designer who once apprenticed under Jean-Paul Gaultier. Balenciaga was also a favorite brand of Jackie Kennedy, causing upset within John F. Kennedy due to her lavish spending habits. These days, from innovative runway shows to incredible editorial spreads, the influence of Balenciaga is impossible to deny."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/balenciaga>