A Cristobal Balenciaga Couture Sac Dress in Plaid Taffeta n°55418 Circa 1958
View Similar Items
A Cristobal Balenciaga Couture Sac Dress in Plaid Taffeta n°55418 Circa 1958
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Equivalent French Size 40/42 (EU)
- Style:1955/1960 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good Condition and Color.
- Seller Location:Toulon, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU63339023452
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.
- A Chiffon & Printed Satin Edwardian Tea Gown - England Circa 1905Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1905/1910 England Beautiful Tea Gown of an English Lady dating from the early twentieth century. Grey satin and muslin printed circular patterns. Effect of an apron and bib ...Category
Early 1900s British Empire Waist Dresses
- A Madame Grès Woollen Beige Couture Dress (attributed to)- France Circa 1970By Madame GresLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1970 France Prototype or parade dress attributed to Madame Grès and dating from the 1970s. Bolduc of white cotton sewn indicating No. 144 to Christine Vicky. Beige wool knit...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- A Jeanne Lanvin Castillo Couture Printed Silk Dress - French Circa 1960Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1960 France Silk dress with black polka dots on a white background accompanied by a similar bow belt and fringed pans, by the Jeanne Lanvin House directed by Antonio Castillo...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- A French Gold Printed and painted Satin Dress Circa 1940-1950Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1940-1950 Europe Amazing little summer dress with flowers on a gold background dating very propably from the Second World War. Clever print on silk satin cream with surreal patterns popular in the 1940s thanks to Elsa Schiaparelli ... Fish, horse heads, parrots appear in a flowery decor and abundant acid colors. Short sleeves and Claudine collar applied with a golden cord and knotted. Integrated belt with two flaps hanging out on the front to refine the silhouette. Beautiful bobbin lace...Category
1940s French Cocktail Dresses
- A Couture Cocktail Dress in Embroidered Chiffon and satin Silk France Circa 1920Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1920 France Elegant cocktail or evening dress in black silk chiffon and tulle embroidered with jet pearls and coral glass dating from the 1920s. This...Category
1920s French Evening Dresses
- Leopard printed silk Evening Dress by Jacques Fath Haute Couture Circa 1955-1960By Jacques FathLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1955-1960 France Beautiful Grand soir dress in black and white leopard print satin by Jacques Fath Haute Couture. The whalebone bustier with a large plunging neckline is held b...Category
1950s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- 1980s Zandra Rhodes Abstract Motif Drop Waist Silk DressBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Scottsdale, AZLooking For The Perfect 80s Dress? Well It's Arrived! Circa 1980s, this Zandra Rhodes asymmetrical drop waist dress features a cream and black pattern of flowers, swirls and tribal i...Category
1980s English Evening Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Silk Beaded Maxi DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis is a mid-century gem! This Yves Saint Laurent gown has details upon details. The most remarkable being the intricate beaded creating a pattern around the round neckline and the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Maxi Dress
- John Galliano floral print silk chiffon drop-waist floor-length dress, fw 2008By John GallianoLocated in London, GB▪ John Galliano silk chiffon dress ▪ A sample made for Vogue ▪ Ivory and pink floral print with mauve base ▪ Cowl neckline ▪ Rolled shoulder straps ▪ Drop waist ▪ Multiple fabric ...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Brunello Cucinelli Sport Grey Cotton Strech Day EnsembleBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Bilbao, ESBrunello Cucinelli Sport Grey Cotton Strech Day Pool Ensemble Strech oversize cardigan and over shirt material: 75% Cotton & 25% Liurex Size Large Made in Italy *Orders welcome all goods are insured and we package all purchases to a high standard PRADERA Fashion Division...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- Antik Batik Pink Silk Leather Kaftan Blouson DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik women's vintage short dress. Powder pink color, 100% silk, applications sewn by hand 100% leather. V-neckline, elasticated waist belt, lined. 1...Category
1990s Indian Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Alberta Ferretti Gray Cotton Vintage Off Shoulder DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberta Ferretti 90s vintage off shoulder dress. Short dress with sweetheart neckline, gray with white stitching. Zip closure along the chest, on th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses