The recent publication of the official portraits of Queen Letizia taken by Annie Leibovitz has not only attracted attention for their impeccable composition, but also for the stories behind the outfits worn by the monarch.
In these images, taken last February 7, the Queen appears wearing two pieces of great historical and symbolic value: a black dress with strapless neckline and a voluminous red shawl, both creations of the iconic designer Cristóbal Balenciaga.
Queen Letizia in Black Gown and Red Cape by Balenciaga
The history of the red shawl dates back to 1962, when Carmen de Robert Giró-Cajigal, Marquise de Robert and Countess of Torroella de Montgrí, commissioned Balenciaga to create a special outfit for the wedding of the then Prince Juan Carlos and Sofia in Athens.
Balenciaga created for the occasion an ivory dress accompanied by a red cape that, decades later, has been adapted as a shawl for this royal portrait.
The discarded outfit
It was the Royal Family who contacted the Antoni de Montpalau Foundation, known for its extensive
Montpalau Foundation, known for its extensive archive of more than 19,000 pieces dedicated to fashion.
From the outset, the request was clear: a Balenciaga design was sought. The foundation selected two outfits: the original ivory dress ensemble with red cape and a 1948 black dress that had belonged to Maria Junyent Quinquer, a prominent doll collector and daughter of the painter Sebastià Junyent.
Although the ivory dress was discarded due to size issues, the black dress fit the Queen like a glove.
The chosen outfit
The black dress, now immortalized in photographs, has details that reflect the mastery of the Basque designer. Its strapless cut, the draping on the torso and the voluminous tulle skirt are proof of Balenciaga’s talent for enhancing the female figure.
For its part, the red cape, transformed into a shawl, adds a touch of drama and elegance that completes the ensemble.
Maria Junyent, the original owner of the black dress, belonged to a discreet but art-loving Catalan bourgeoisie. In addition to her collections, her family maintained close ties to the world of design and culture, which explains her connection to Balenciaga.
After the photo shoots, the Royal House returned the garments to the foundation in perfect condition, without initially disclosing the purpose of the loan.
The Foundation discovered the magnitude of the project upon learning that the images will form part of The Tyranny of Chronos, an exhibition to be inaugurated at the Bank of Spain.