Pierre Balmain White Bodycon Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 36 (EU)Shoulder to Hem: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5115611932
Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer'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.
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, Balmain's founder 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 that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company 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 Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
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: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Emanuel Ungaro New Leather Color Block Dress 1980sBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous soft, supple leather dress by Emanuel Ungaro in black and grey. It has a crew neckline, long sleeves with zipper cuffs and shoulder pads. The dress is black with an angul...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- Emanuel Ungaro Check Draped DressBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Water Mill, NYA great fine black and white small check light weight wool dress by Emanuel Ungaro. It has a crew neckline, fabulous leg o mutton sleeves with zipper and ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Pierre Cardin 1960s Space Age DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous off white wool dress by Pierre Cardin. It is an A line sleeveless dress with a stand up collar and hem highlighted with rows of top stitchi...Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Silk Damask Dress 1980sBy Vicky TielLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful off white silk damask dress with a red flower print from Vicky Tiel. It has front pockets and closes with self covered buttons. The cap sleev...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pierre Cardin Silk Cape Back Dress 1960sBy Pierre CardinLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible dress from Pierre Cardin in off white silk with abstract navy shapes. The neckline, wrists and hem are highlighted with rows of top stitching on solid off white. An amazing cape panel drapes from the shoulders at the back of the dress. The dress and cape are fully silk lined and has a fine back hand stitched painted metal zipper. A rare couture...Category
1960s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Tom Ford New Plunge Dress with Cut outsBy Tom FordLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible dress from Tom Ford in off white silk. It has a plunging neckline, long sleeves with zippers at the wrists and black mesh covered oval cut outs at the side hips, side ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1970s Albert Nipon Halter Dress in Linen and Cotton Floral Print Size 2By Albert NiponLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful vintage dress from Albert Nipon in a gorgeous linen cotton blend print with micro herringbone stripes and bold pink, yellow and white big flowers. One of the hal...Category
1970s Hong Kong Day Dresses
- Versace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Capri, ITVersace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- F/W 1995 Gianni Versace Couture Runway Grey Pleated Silk Velvet DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a lustrous satin and velvet Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1995 collection, the dress debuted on the season's runway as look number 56 on Kristen McMenamy...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Multi Silk Tie Dye Print Dress with Pockets - 44By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis unique Dolce & Gabbana dress is a tie dye print silk material. It is sleeveless with tapered stitches, 2 side pockets, and a thin gold leather belt. Size 44, circa 21st cent...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Moroccan Floral White Kaftan Maxi Dress Caftan Size LargeLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan white floral embroidered with gold trim, circa 1970s. This long maxi dress kaftan trim is embroidered and embellished entirely by hand. One of a kind evening ...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
- Moroccan Vintage Caftan in White and Gold Lace 1970s Kaftan Maxi Dress LargeLocated in North Hollywood, CAMoroccan caftan, evening or interior white and gold lace dress kaftan with gold trim. Handmade vintage exotic 1970s metallic white and gold caftan gown, ceremonial Kaftan from North ...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans