Vintage Cristobal Balenciaga Haute Couture Babydoll Dress (1960s)
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 0 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU583320352642
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Burberry Black Silk-Blend Cutout Sheath DressBy BurberryLocated in Los Angeles, CABurberry Black Silk-Blend Cutout Sheath Dress Black/Brown/Tortoise Pattern Allover circular cutouts Square neckline Long sleeves with bell cuffs Cuffs adorned with chain-linked wood...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Pleated Dress FW2002By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Pleated Stitched Long Dress by Jean Paul Gaultier Femme Fall / Winter 2002 Ready-To-Wear Made in Italy Black Long sleeve Floor length dress Turtle neckline Pleated and stitch...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Attico Color Block Sequin Wrap DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAColor block sequin wrap dress by Attico Wrap style mini dress V-neckline Color-blocked multicolored sequins throughout Blouson Long sleeves with t...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Vicky Tiel Gathered Strapless DressBy Vicky TielLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Strapless Gathered Dress by Vicky Tiel Circa 1980's Made in France Black Sweetheart neckline Gathered bodice with asymmetrical wrap effect Decorative bow on right hip Int...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Givenchy Bandage Cutout DressBy GivenchyLocated in Los Angeles, CABandage cutout dress by Givenchy Made in Italy Red Three-quarter sleeves Gathered shoulder detail Shoulder pads Cutouts throughout bodice and back Decor...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Louis Féraud Decorative Cutout Neckline Dress 1974By Louis FeraudLocated in Los Angeles, CADecorative cutout neckline dress by Louis Feraud Made in Germany 1974 Black Full-length Long sleeves with functional cuff zippers Scalloped keyhole ...Category
1970s German Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Multi Floral Chiffon GownBy Barbara TfankLocated in Los Angeles, CAEnchanting, delightful! From the Barbara Tfank Spring 2008 collection inspired by Anita Loos and “Screwball’ comedies, this delicate silk chiffon, portrait neckline gown comes in the...Category
Early 2000s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Carole Little 90s Ivory Lace Maxi DressBy Carole LittleLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into classic elegance with the Carole Little 90s Ivory Lace Maxi Dress. This white lace masterpiece features a flattering scoop neck, adding a touch of timeless femininity to it...Category
1990s Korean Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Moschino Silk Contoured Hoop-Skirt GownBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis gown will pull you in and intrigue you with all the curves and volume. This Moschino design is genius as the skirt has varying sizes of circular boning to fit to your own body's curves giving you a hyper-feminized silhouette. Featuring a full-length to add to the drama and a simple black color-way and tank-top style to let the bottom detail steal the show. The fabric is 100% silk. Make sure to pair this dress with dramatic earrings...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace metallic gold leather mini dress, fw 1994By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace metallic gold leather mini dress ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Fall-Winter 1994 ▪ Croc-embossed ▪ Diagonal front zipper ▪ 2 front pockets ▪ IT 40 - FR 36 - UK...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet and gold foil printed dress, fw 1990By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet evening dress ▪ Gold foil neoclassical print inspired by Andre-Charles Boulle ▪ Concealed zipper at center-back ▪ Size Medium ▪ Fall-Winter...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns