Created by Spanish designed Cristóbal Balenciaga Eizaguirre, the Balenciaga fashion house first made its mark in the world of women’s fashion by offering signature pieces worn by members of the Spanish royal family in the early 1900’s. His first boutique was opened in San Sebastian, Spain, but was forced to close due to the country’s unrest during the Spanish Civil War. Following that abrupt closure, Balenciaga took his designs, naturally, to the world’s fashion .