BALENCIAGA black acetate DRAPED SHEATH Dress 38 S
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Zürich, CH
- Reference Number:
Balenciaga
Starting as a modest boutique, Balenciaga evolved to transform the landscape of women’s fashion with shapes and contours during the middle of the 20th century that were nothing less than groundbreaking. Today, the brand is as venturesome as ever and is well known for its shoes, handbags, sneakers, streetwear and other clothing and accessories.
Though he was born in the quiet fishing village of Getaria in Spain’s Basque region, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972) was destined to reshape modern fashion. As a child, he worked alongside his seamstress mother. Showing immense talent, he earned commissions as a teenager from local patron Marquesa de Casa Torres, who paid for his tailoring education in Madrid. In 1917, he established his first haute couture house — named Eisa, for his mother — in the trendy resort town San Sebastián. He soon followed it with boutiques in Madrid and Barcelona, drawing such clientele as the Spanish royal family.
When the Spanish Civil War put a hold on his prospects in Spain, the designer moved to Paris, opening a house on Avenue Georges V in 1937. There, Balenciaga rubbed elbows with fashion greats like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli and quickly won over clients like Gloria Guinness, Pauline de Rothschild and Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.
As a couturier, Balenciaga drew from his Spanish heritage for ideas, riffing on everything from matador costumes and flamenco dresses to the paintings of Diego Velázquez, whose portraits of Spanish princesses famously inspired Balenciaga’s Infanta gown.
An expert tailor, he experimented with sculptural silhouettes that didn’t follow the body. Some of his notable designs include the 1953 balloon jacket, and from 1957, the cocoon coat, the baby-doll dress and the sack dress, which he popularized with his good friend designer Hubert de Givenchy. All of these could be considered not just the masterpieces of haute couture, but also objets d’art in their own right, leading to Balenciaga’s nickname, “The Master.”
Balenciaga continued designing until 1968, when he retired after three decades of influential work and his fashion house went dormant. The rights to Balenciaga were acquired by Jacques Bogart S.A. in 1986. Under designer Michel Goma, who focused on ready-to-wear, the brand experienced a resurgence, with his first collection introduced in 1987.
The brand returned to high fashion with the arrival of designer Josephus Thimister in 1992. It has since been led by a series of creative directors who have paid homage to Balenciaga’s iconic designs, including Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang and, most recently, Demna Gvasalia. In 2011, a museum celebrating Balenciaga’s legacy opened in his hometown in Spain, commemorating where it all began.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Balenciaga crossbody bags, tote bags, day dresses, shirts and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Zürich, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- DOLCE & GABBANA black & white ROSE PRINT & LACE Dress 42By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Zürich, CHDolce & Gabbana shift dress in black and white viscose (82%) cotton (16%) nylon (2%) with a rose print and lace part at the bottom, stand-up collar, puffed shoulders, long sleeves wi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- VALENTINO black silk BEDED Short Sleeve Dress 40By ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CHValentino embroidered short-sleeve dress in black/multi polyamide (100%) and silk (100%) with a round neck. Has a bead and lace pleated bottom. Closes on the back with a concealed zi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- LOUIS VUITTON navy blue linen BUSTIER Sleeveless Dress 40 MBy Louis VuittonLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Louis Vuitton paneled bustier dress in navy blue linen (50%) and silk (50%). Features an a-line fit and chiffon silk straps. Corsage...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- ALAIA black wool blend SCOOP NECK SLEEVELESS FLARED Dress SBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Alaïa flared long-sleeve jacquard wool (missing tag) dress with a square neckline. Unlined. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Measurements Tag Size Missin...Category
1990s Casual Dresses
- VALENTINO midnight blue wool blend Long Sleeve Sheath Dress 10By ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CHValentino long-sleeve sheath dress in wool (84%), polyamide (11%) and elastane (5%) featuring scalloped hemline and wide neckline. Opens with a concealed zipper on the back. Undlined...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- SAINT LAURENT black wool ASYMMETRIC ZIP CAP SLEEVE Dress 42By Saint LaurentLocated in Zürich, CHSaint Laurent cap-sleeve shift dress in black wool (100%). With diagonal zipper details on the front and two slit pockets on the sides. Closes with h...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- 1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressLocated in New York, NY1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressCategory
1970s Casual Dresses
- 1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownLocated in New York, NY1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownCategory
1970s Formal Gowns
- 2000s Gianni Versace by Donatella Halter Neck Bias Cut Sheer Black Chiffon GownBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning black chiffon halter neck Gianni Versace Couture gown, designed by Donatella Versace. This beautiful creation from the early 2000s is constructed entirely of si...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Bob Mackie Vintage 1980s Boho Colorful Black Semi Sheer Back Ruffle 80s DressBy Bob MackieLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1980s BOB MACKIE bohemian black and colorful asymmetrical dress! Features a black asymmetrical panel on the front, with a colorful geometric chiffon skirt, sleeves, and semi she...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1990's Dolce & Gabbana Black Nylon Slip DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Austin, TX1990's Dolce & Gabbana Black Nylon Slip Dress Excellent condition Nylon fabric Made in Italy Size S/M Bust: 28"-38", Waist: 25"-36", Hips: 41"-54", Length: 44.5"Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Silk Polka Dot Lace-Up Ruffle Mini DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sexy polka dot Gucci mini dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, this black dress with white dots features winged underarms, a v-neckline, ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses