 I'm sure the name André Courrèges won't mean much to most of you. Here are some lines trying to explain what, in our opinion, makes this designer so special.
 André was born and raised in Pau, a little town in Southern France. His life goes peacefully until he discovers Cristóbal Balenciaga's work (the second most famous man from Getaria) by seeing one of the great Cristobal´s dresses. He strongly decides he has to work with him, but it is not that easy. At this point, the great Cristóbal is an already established figure and André is just a snivelling kid (but with loads of illusion). He tries to work with some common friends from Hendaia, Mrs. Castaynié, but it doesn't work. But André isn't one to go backwards. So he gets in touch with the smugglers who took Mr. Balenciaga's patterns from Paris to his Spanish houses (by that time shops were called houses, don't ask me why). This contact works and the persevering André puts his foot in Balenciaga. He goes to Paris and he convinces him he could work for free.
André Courregès shows mainly two influences in his work. On the one side is Chanel, pure architecture for him, and on the other side is Balenciaga, the feminity. But surely the fact of working at Balenciaga influences him a lot more. With his maestro, he discovers the XVII century soberness and, above all, the boss perfectionism. At first the young André goes through the different sections of the company, learning in the process all about the production of clothes. From designing to cutting and from dressmaking to selling in shops.
 André is delighted. As time goes by, the talent of our man starts getting recognised. After 3 years in Paris he is in charge of all the Spanish houses of Balenciaga. André is happy, but he begins to feel the urge of working on his own. This is easy to say, but believe me; it wasn't easy because Balenciaga was for Courregès kind of a God. But the decision was made and it was just a matter of time.
Courregès introduced modernity into fashion, in the best sense of the word. Don't forget that in the middle 60's these houses we are talking about used to dress the middle age bourgeoisie. André Courregès invented a completely new concept. His fashion shows were happenings where jazz was played up full. The materials he used were revolutionary. He dressed the woman in a much more sportive and tough style, he used to photograph his models playing sports or in front of the "Le Corbusier" building.
 We can say that Courregès was the inventor of the Sport Wear. He was the first designer to put his logo in sight in all the clothes. Although this may seem stupid, I believe it is very important because in one way he invented the concept of the actual "Brand".
The logo is an aside subject. Maybe is the best logo in all history. I am afraid Jon Izeta had a good look at it before making ours.
The influence in the actual designers is also huge, just ask Stüssy, Supreme (the one in NY, not the one of Madrid) or even all those Japanese collectors who would pay any price to acquire the uniform he designed for the Olympic games in Munich. He also has been namechecked by the greatest music divas such as the Dee-lite singer, the singer in Pizzicato Five or Teresa from Le Mans.
 All right guys, now you now something more about André Courrèges. I just want to tell you that you can still obtain his clothes in Spain, looking for them in Boutiques of the 70's and you will have a nice surprise. That is style and not those Italian brands for women of football players. Vive la modernite!
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