Exhibition 10.25.2025 - 05.03.2026

Azzedine Alaïa, Cristóbal Balenciaga

sculptors of shape
curated by Olivier Saillard · Textile Museum, Prato

Azzedine Alaïa, Cristóbal Balenciaga, sculptorsof shape ph. Stéphane Aït Ouarab

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Fondazione Museo del Tessuto in Prato, in collaboration with the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, present the exhibition Azzedine Alaïa and  Cristóbal Balenciaga, sculptors of shape.

Conceived in 2020 by Olivier Saillard at the Fondation Alaïa in Paris, the exhibition fulfills Hubert de Givenchy’s desire for a display bringing together two historic talents of haute couture by showcasing the creativity of the two couturiers through a collection of fifty dresses from the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation alongside original documents and videos from the Balenciaga Archives.

Around twenty-five creations by Azzedine Alaïa converse in the exhibition with an equal number of pieces by  Cristóbal Balenciaga.

All the garments in the exhibition belong to the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, created by the  couturier himself to preserve and showcase his personal archives and his extensive collection of garments by the greatest designers who have shaped the history of fashion.