In 1968, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972) declared the era of Haute Couture over and closed his fashion house without any prior notice. The news sent shockwaves among his loyal followers around the globe. The grand master of high tailoring, revered by both clients and colleagues, dressed the rich and famous for over five decades, first in his Basque homeland and then, from Paris, around the world. However great the interest in his personal life was, he was equally skilled at evading the public eye and leading a reclusive life, far from prying eyes. Mary Blume, the most successful columnist for the International Herald Tribune, who reported from Paris for over 40 years, has written Balenciaga's biography. Freed from all myths and legends, she tells the life story of Cristóbal Balenciaga.