1895. Cristóbal Balenciaga Eizaguirre is born in Getaria (Gipuzkoa) at 5 pm on January 21. Begins sewing alongside his mother, Martina Eizaguirre, who works as a seamstress for the Marquesa de Casa Torres and other well-heeled families in the area. The marquesa's exquisite taste and collection of dresses from the finest Paris and London fashion houses introduces young Cristóbal to the refined lifestyle of the European elite.
1907. Moves to San Sebastián and begins a period of tailoring apprenticeship at Casa Gómez and New England, the finest tailoring establishments of the time. In 1911 Balenciaga gains employment at Grandes Almacenes Au Louvre in San Sebastian and in only two years is named head of ladies' dressmaking. While working at Au Louvre, travels frequently to Paris and becomes familiar with the leading fashion houses in the international capital of fashion. In 1914 moves to Bordeaux to work for a reputable tailor’s shop owned by friends.