Does ‘Balenciaga’ Mean ‘Baal Is King?’  (2024)

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Does ‘Balenciaga’ Mean ‘Baal Is King?’ (17)

By Cameron Hilditch

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Claims are circulating on social media that the name of the luxury fashion brand Balenciaga is a conjunction of a phrase that translates to mean “Baal Is King.” These claims are false.

Balenciaga has courted controversy in recent ad campaigns involving, among other things, images of children holding handbags made to look like teddy bears in sexual bondage gear and photos of paperwork about child p*rnography laws. The brand issued a series of apologies as did both its CEO and lead designer.

The controversy led to claims that Balenciaga’s name is Latin for “Baal Is King.” Baal was a Phonecian deity of the ancient Near East who features in the Hebrew Bible and is thought to have demanded the ritual sacrifice of children. Balenciaga’s alleged clandestine homage to this figure in the brand’s own name has been taken by some as evidence of demonic sway over the haute couture juggernaut.

One Instagram user posted a photo from another ad campaign in which the brand does indeed choose to spell its own name provocatively as “BAALENCIAGA on a roll of masking tape. Other posts, linked above, have circulated claiming to show “Baal Is King” as the English translation of the Latin “Baal Enci Aga” on Google translate. All of these claims are false. “Baal Enci Aga” is not a Latin phrase. Translated into Latin, the sentence “Baal Is King” would read “Baal rex est.”

“Balenciaga” is, in fact, the surname of the brand’s Spanish founder, Cristóbal Balenciaga. It’s a name native to the Basque region of Spain, where Mr. Balenciaga was born in 1895.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Cameron Hilditch

Cameron Hilditch is a fact-check reporter for The Dispatch.

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Does ‘Balenciaga’ Mean ‘Baal Is King?’  (2024)

FAQs

What is the real meaning of Balenciaga? ›

Balenciaga. Place of origin. Spain. Following Basque naming customs, the name is a toponymic meaning house or place of the whaler, referring to the patronymic house of a family originally devoted to whaling.

What does Balenciaga mean? ›

This is a run on sentence in Latin. Let's simply separate the sentence: BAAL ENCI AGA. Translated to English: Baal is the king.

Who is Balenciaga named after? ›

Cristóbal Balenciaga left Spain during the Civil War and settled in Paris at the age of 42, where he opened a store at 10 Avenue George V, naming it 'Balenciaga'. From his first collection, he was immediately hailed as a success by the international fashion media.

What is Balenciaga know for? ›

Famed for his exquisite craftmanship and innovative designs, Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga was known as 'The Master' of haute couture. An inspiration to those who follow in his footsteps, his work continues to shape fashion today. Haute couture is like an orchestra whose conductor is Balenciaga.

Why is everyone saying Balenciaga? ›

The backlash against the images was swift, with the hashtag #cancelBalenciaga trending across Twitter and TikTok and many accusing the brand and its creative director, Demna, of condoning pedophilia and child exploitation.

What does Balenciaga mean translate? ›

Definitions of Balenciaga. Spanish fashion designer known for his stark elegant designs (1895-1972) synonyms: Cristobal Balenciaga. example of: clothes designer, couturier, designer, fashion designer. someone who designs clothing.

What is Balenciaga defini? ›

Like other replies say, that's the name of the luxury fashion house founded in the Basque Country (Spain) in 1919 by the Basque couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga. If you ask about the meaning of the name, it's a Basque surname that means “someone from Valencia”.

What does Balenciaga mean in American Horror Story? ›

This is actually the name of a luxury fashion brand, but oddly, her dress isn't a Balenciaga since the show couldn't afford to buy such a dress for the scene. Ryan Murphy revealed there's no real deeper significance to Myrtle yelling this out, and it's just in keeping with the character's quirky sense of humor.

Who owns Balenciaga now? ›

Kering (French: [kɛːʁiŋ]) is a French-based multinational corporation specializing in luxury goods. It owns the brands Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Creed and Alexander McQueen.

Is Balenciaga from Kanye? ›

Balenciaga is ending its relationship with Kanye West, the fashion house's parent company says. “Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” Kering told Women's Wear Daily — a sister publication to Billboard — on Friday (Oct.

Who is CEO of Balenciaga? ›

Balenciaga's deputy chief executive officer Laura du Rusquec joins the Danish brand as chief executive officer.

Who is the king of Balenciaga? ›

Born in a small Basque fishing village on the northern coast of Spain at the end of the 19th century, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972) went on to become one of the most innovative and influential fashion designers of the 20th century – and the king of fashion in Paris.

What do the Kardashians have to do with Balenciaga? ›

Kardashian has been loyal to Balenciaga for years, even attending the Met Gala in 2021 with the brand's creative designer, Demna. She has also been featured in past campaigns for the company and walked the runway at the brand's show during Paris Fashion Week 2022.

Who was Balenciaga's wife? ›

Because Balenciaga never married and kept his personal life strictly private, rumours occasionally abounded over his sexuality. The two biggest wounds in Balenciaga's life were the triumph of Christian Dior's 'New Look' in 1947, and the death of d'Attainville the year after.

Can someone explain Balenciaga? ›

Balenciaga (/bəˌlɛnsiˈɑːɡə/ bə-LEN-see-AH-gə) is a Spanish luxury fashion line that was founded in 1919 by couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián. Balenciaga produces ready-to-wear footwear, handbags, and accessories, and licenses its name and branding to Coty for fragrances.

What does the Balenciaga logo represent? ›

The Balenciaga mark is the most powerful symbol in the fashion world. The logo shows the company's commitment to making high-end, stylish clothing known for having a modern, simple look. The Balenciaga mark has changed over time to become a symbol of class and good taste.

What's the story about Balenciaga? ›

Spanish brand Balenciaga was established in the Basque Country in Spain before relocating to France and opening a boutique store in Paris in 1937 as a result of the Spanish Civil War. Balenciaga used sleek and linear lines in the post-war era that deviated from Christian Dior's hourglass shape popularized at the time.

What is Balenciaga concept? ›

Balenciaga is known for creating avant-garde, advanced structural pieces, straddling the edge of fashion and forecasting the future of women's ready-to-wear fashion.

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