Nicolas Ghesquière, creative director for Balenciaga, at the line’s Melrose Avenue retail store in West Hollywood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Evening wear from Ghesquière, who after Balenciaga’s retirement has found his own voice and made the line the most trend-setting French fashion brand. It’s the only fashion brand besides Prada that consistently affects every level of the market. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Shoes and accessories on display at the new Balenciaga store at 8670 Melrose Ave. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Ghesquière’s 1960s-style sunglasses for Balenciaga. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
In comfortable bench seats, customers can view changing digital monitors that display Nicolas Ghesquière’s designs. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The new Balenciaga store is on Melrose Avenue between San Vicente Boulevard and Norwich Drive in West Hollywood. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Fashion, says designer Nicolas Ghesquière, means putting together many, many things, crossing the universe ... . (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
