Balenciaga Luxurious Vintage Purple Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 32 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The dress is in good and original condition, with no rips or wear. Being a VINTAGE garment it is possible that it may have some flaws.
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2057216608672
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: rozzano, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Gianni Versace "Medusa" Black Sheath DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITGianni Versace "Medusa" Black Sheath Dress 2000s. Wonderful and original Gianni Versace black sheath dress from the 2000's, made of viscose, nylon a...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Gianni Versace Black Medusa Evening DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITWonderful black short evening dress, by the famous designer Gianni Versace 1990's, in very soft Viscosa 100%. The dress has an open back and an American-style neckline made with a go...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- Ermanno Scervino black and gold sequined evening dressBy Ermanno ScervinoLocated in Milano, ITIn the dimly lit room, she stood poised and elegant, a vision of timeless beauty. Her one-shoulder black evening gown, adorned with intricate black sequin embellishments, glistened l...Category
Early 2000s Italian Court Gowns
- Antonio Marras Elegant B&W BlouseBy Antonio MarrasLocated in Milano, ITBeautiful white semi-leather and black viscose blouse designed and made by Antonio Marras in the 1980s. The blouse is very particular, in fact it is divided in two by the two main co...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Elisabetta Franchi fuchsia cocktail dressBy Elisabetta FranchiLocated in Milano, ITElisabetta Franchi fuchsia cocktail dress from the 2010s. The dress is made of polyester and stretch fabric with puffs in the skirt that pick up its...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 80s Fürstenberg Couture Eccentric Evening Dress with PlumesBy Diane von FurstenbergLocated in Milano, ITEccentric gala evening dress designed by famous stylist Diane von Fürstenberg in the 1980s, of fine French manufacture. The dress is made entirely of colorful silk satin, on shades of red, orange, gold and black, takes geometric shapes and creates an infectious swirl. The upper part of the dress, on the other hand, is made of feathers, also following the colors of red and black, with some touches of light blue. A real explosion of harmonious colors, which make the person wearing the dress the real star of the evening. The dress has no straps or neckline, a feathered band is seen gently wrapping around the shoulders, securing the dress to the body. An element from the 1920s, which has always been a symbol of class and elegance, but also of sensuality and arrogance. The light blue feathers placed occasionally give a different touch of light, as if to emphasize the sparkle of the dress. Under the feathered sash we see a bodice made of black silk satin, which perfectly encircles the wearer's body, thanks to the belt created by the two circles, with red and black striped weave...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Judith Ann Creations Purple & Blue Beaded Sequin 2pc Dress with Bird DesignBy Judith Ann CreationsLocated in Portland, ORThis is a stunning beaded and sequin 2 piece dress from Judith Ann Creations. The outfit includes a gorgeous silk lined long sleeve blouse with a beautiful bird motif. and a silk lin...Category
1980s Indian Evening Dresses
- F/W 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Purple Satin Yellow Lace Rhinestone Slip DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning yellow and purple satin Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1996 collection, this gorgeous dress debuted as part of l...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Gianni Versace Open Back Halter Evening GownBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Austin, TX1990s purple Gianni Versace halter open back evening gown Condition: Very good 20" bust, 22" waist, 31.5" hips, 63.5" length size XS/ US2 / IT38Category
1990s Italian Evening Gowns
- Patricia Lester Fuschia Pleated and Bugle Beaded Silk GownBy Patricia LesterLocated in New York, NYElegant Fortuny inspired 2 pc gown by Patricia Lester. Hand pleated and gathered silk panels are used to create this modernized version of a Fortuny Peplos...Category
Late 20th Century British Peplos
- 1970s Blue and Red Rose Print Silk Jersey DressLocated in London, GBThis late 1970s to early 1980s French couture silk jersey maxi dress has a beautiful blue and red rose print design against a darker blue background. It has a high, round neckline an...Category
1970s French Maxi Dress
- Azzedine Alaia Vintage Lilac Fitted DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia Vintage Fitted Plunged Décolleté Mini Dress M All Eyes on Alaïa For the last half-century, the world’s most fashionable and adventuresom...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns