In 1937 Cristobal Balenciaga, the designer who went on to be known as the Picasso of fashion, began dressing powerful women of the times including Queen Fabiola of Belgium and Hollywood stars like Ava Gardner and Ingrid Bergman. He held is first big fashion show in Paris the same year.

The designer was renowned for being several steps ahead of his competitors, always offering fresh silhouettes to alter the way clothing hung on a woman's curves.

For example, his fitted jacket with a nipped-in waist and slack hips became the inspiration for the new look around World War II.

Balenciaga's other famous creations include the square-barrel suit dress, the I-Line, Empire Line, Tapaze lining, Cape jacket, the pillow box hat and evening dresses that were like masterpieces of art.

Though Balenciaga closed down in 1968, it was revived 10 years later by French designer Michel Goma. Today, the top-end fashion house is led by French designer Nicholas Ghesquiere.

Ghesquiere stamped his autumn-winter collection for 2005 with a "Go-Go '60s" concept, which later inspired the neo-vintage trend in the fashion industry. Last year's autumn-winter collection further established the Balenciga name.

Thai fashionistas can now check out Balenciaga's spring-summer collection at its new boutique.