Balenciaga is a French fashion house founded by Cristobal Balenciaga, a Spanish designer in 1919. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern shapes were trademarks of the house. The House of Balenciaga is now owned by the French multinational company Kering. Balenciaga's current Creative Director is Alexander Wang. The core Balenciaga woman is sophisticated/discreet; individual and confident sense of style; fashion forward / ageless.