Late 1950 early 1960's Balmain Encrusted Silver Cocktail Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 34.26 in (87 cm)Marked Size: 8 (US)Bust: 33.86 in (86 cm)Waist: 29.14 in (74 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Encrusted with silver-colored beads
- Condition:Altered (not by designer). Original silk lining recently replaced by a seamstress.
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3285221522792
Balmain
From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Pierre Balmain was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure Balmain learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, Balmain’s postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since Pierre Balmain’s death in 1982, the design reins have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.
Today’s Balmain has more in common with the master’s original haute couture than you might expect: sharply tailored blazers that nip in at the waist, delicate stilettos and ultra-feminine evening dresses are wardrobe basics for the 21st-century woman, too. Lovers of couture history will also prize the fluid, easy sketches from the master’s own hand they’ll find on offer here, while fashionistas clamor for the brand’s t-shirts, military-style jackets and skinny jeans.
Whether you’re a colonel in Rousteing’s “glamour army” or you fancy yourself a “Jolie Madame,” a Balmain piece — from the 1960s or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, Balmain feels right now.
Find vintage Balmain dresses, skirts, shoes and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milano, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dressLocated in Milano, IT1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dress with wide shawl neckline and low cut back. Rounded high slit in front with fitted long sleeves. Evening dress Size: M Waist: 88 cm Length: 14...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- 1970s Basile Long Velvet Black DressBy BasileLocated in Milano, ITVoluptuous Runway dress, floor length in black silk velvet, V-neck in grosgrain with small collar, Long sleeves. slit opening in the back. with fish tail shaped draping from knee t...Category
1970s North American Evening Gowns
- 1970s Dominic Rompollo Long plum dressBy Dominic RompolloLocated in Milano, ITLong plum dress in soft jersey, high collar and buttons on the front. Long train on the back. Stretch fabric. Size IT: 40 Size USA: 6 Waist: 65 cm Length:...Category
1970s American Evening Dresses
- 1980s Michel Klein Blue velvet dressLocated in Milano, IT1980s Michel Klein Blue velvet dress with crossed V-neck and full skirt, long sleeves. Knee length. Button closure on the front. Size IT : 40 Size USA: 6 MEASURES Waist: 68 cm Len...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Oscar De La Renta Green velvet DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Milano, ITBeautiful midi length velvet ruffled dress with 3/4 puff sleeves and woven tassels. with boat neckline. Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo (22 July 1932 – 20 October 2014), known professi...Category
1990s North American Evening Dresses
- 1970s Vintage fluid black dress in sheer jerseyLocated in Milano, ITFluid black dress in sheer jersey with lurex copper profiles and belt. Deep V neckline. Wide shoulder straps. Size IT:40 Size USA: 6 Waist: 66 cm Length: 152 cm Bust: 80 cmCategory
1970s American Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's cream silk beaded dress original 1960's wedding dress UK 12 Us 8Located in Cheltenham, GBA vision rendered in a truly embellished fashion, this original vintage 1960's cream wool silk dress, embellished with silver glass beads, pearlescent beads, gold beads and silver cl...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1940's Pink Silk Evening Dress Beaded Pearl Floral Dress UK 8 Us 4Located in Cheltenham, GBA beauty to behold. This original 1940's pink silk dress, embellished with trailing silk threaded soutache embroidery depicting blossoming flowers, surrounded by pearlescent beaded d...Category
1940s Unknown Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's yellow sequin beaded cocktail dress wiggle dress UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBThis breathtaking 1960's yellow knitted wool dress, embellished in its entirety with clear iridescent sequins, and finished with floral beaded details in yellow rocaille beads, and i...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Chanel 13P Spring 2013 Wool Tweed Runway Sequins Faux Pearl Dress 38 NewBy ChanelLocated in Merced, CAChanel runway tweed sequins dress from Chanel spring 2013 runway dress adorned with Cc logo buttons and faux pearl.Category
Mid-20th Century French Shift Cocktail Dresses
- EMILIO PUCCI vintage silk long dress 60sBy Emilio PucciLocated in Rubiera, REEmilio Pucci Long pink long dress Vintage 60s Fantasy on pink background; adorned with crystals and beads. Fully hand finished, double lined. 100% silk The size label has been cut. L...Category
1960s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford FW-02 Silk Flared Hem Dress - Velvet RibbonBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Brussels, BEFlirtation and eroticism were on American designer Tom Ford’s mind for his Fall/Winter 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche collection. Using stereotypical women’s fabrics for appropr...Category
Early 2000s French Sheath Dresses