The Master of Us All
DESIGN BRIEF
Summary
Seeking a shirt design that portrays Cristóbal Balenciaga as a classic horror movie star by combining his moody, shadowy portraits with Golden Age of Hollywood posters and the dramatic black silhouettes of his designs.
Deliverable
A graphic design suitable for T-shirts, sweatshirts, and posters.
Requirements
Feature the phrase “The Master of Us All,” because without context it can be interepreted as ominous, like the title of an old horror movie. Dior famously referred to Balenciaga as “the master of us all,” citing the couturier’s singular ability to perform every step in the creation of a design from drawing the initial sketches to sewing the final garment.
Appeal to fans of fashion, old Hollywood, poster design, campy flicks, the Halloween season, and art history.
Stand on its own, people who like the aesthetic should be into it. Anyone who isn’t familiar with Balenciaga or his work could figure it’s a cool poster for an old movie.
Avoid referencing the subject by name.
References
Contemporaries
Balenciaga himself could be mistaken for a Universal Studios monster movie star. His enigmatic, shadowy portraits are reminiscient of actors like Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.
Cristóbal Balenciaga. Photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, 1950Cristóbal BalenciagaBela LugosiBoris KarloffVincent Price
Designs and models
His models and designs often featured dramatic black silhouettes with exaggerated forms.
Alberta Tiburzi in 'envelope' dress by Balenciaga. Photograph
by Hiro Wakabayashi for Harper's Bazaar, June 1967Cathee Dahmen in a bare midriff dress of fluttering black leaves over a gathered silk gauze skirt, Marola in silk gazar chasuble cape over a straplesss dress, both by Balenciaga, photo by Neal Barr, Harper's Bazaar, March 1968
Poster style
Illustrated movie posters in the Golden Age style usually featuring hand lettering, color blocking, and saturated contrasting colors.
Poster for “The Black Cat”, 1934Swedish poster for “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”Poster for “The Bat Whispers”, 1930Poster for “Star Wars: A New Hope” by Olly Moss for Lucasfilm, 2010