Constructing Balenciaga's 'Tulip' dress

Working with students from the London College of Fashion, we've created digital animations to show how three of Cristóbal Balenciaga's iconic designs were constructed. The 'Tulip' dress is made from stiff silk gazar which stands away from the body and provides the strong architectural shape. The fabric is joined at the centre front and centre back with no side seams - a signature of Balenciaga's designs. A second panel of fabric hangs from the shoulders and is secured with bar tacks under the arms, creating the illusion of a loose, unstructured garment.
'Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion' is on display at the V&A from 27 May 2017 until 18 February 2018
vam.ac.uk/balenciaga

[@madamededal]

Absolutely beautiful, how simplicity can be so complex

[@themarquis336]

It gives me the most wonderful chills. How extraordinary.

[@alejmitra7483]

Seeing this, the complicated looks so easy

[@jayneeojeda5677]

THIS IS SO FREAKING AMZING!!! I never would have understood this without either making it or seeing this video format!

[@lucasmeyer4231]

Brilliantly exposed. Thank you Victoria and Albert Museum.

[@maheshdaga5920]

No words..just a big wow

[@kmm2442]

Nice one guys. We want more.

[@Rakshak728]

Really great work thx

[@chewysmith6448]

Madre de Dios! Parece una campamocha !!

[@FuegodeInfierno]

Will we ever get a "constructing Balenciaga's trash bag purse" or "constructing Balenciaga 's worn out sneakers"? 🤔

[@marlisarivera1036]

Where is the woman's gloves at the end.
You don't touch art with out gloves.

[@katerinapatiniotis5598]

I was terrified when I saw that!!!

[@epasuxelar4473]

I think it's a reconstruction of the dress so it's not the original fabric, otherwise that's a big yikes