1960's Cristóbal Balenciaga haute couture black brocade dress and jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:silk
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Condition is very good. Zipper is missing some teeth and could be replaced to make zipping it easier.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8117804032
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, 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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1980's VALENTINO black wool coat and matching skirt with velvet detailBy ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack wool coat and matching skirt with velvet detail designed by Valentino dating to the 1980's. Jacket is labeled an 8 and skirt has no size label. Coat measure approximately: shou...Category
1980s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1958 EISA by CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA haute couture black boucle wool skirt suitBy Balenciaga, EisaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, jet-black boucle wool haute couture suit designed by Cristobal Balenciaga for his Eisa boutique dating to fall of 1958. Suit best fits a size 0-4 . Approximate measurement...Category
1950s Spanish Jackets
- 1960's JOSEPH MAGNIN wool houndstooth swing coat with neck tie & skirtBy Joseph Magnin Co.Located in San Fransisco, CACream and black houndstooth woven wool swing coat with necktie and matching skirt made for Joseph Magnin dating to the 1960's. Coat fits many sizes due to loose cute. Approximate mea...Category
20th Century American Coats
- 1984 AZZEDINE ALAIA jet black summer playsuit with draped skirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black summer playsuit with matching skirt that cleverly hooks onto waistband to create a unique draped silhouette designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to the late 1980's. Looks grea...Category
1980s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN peplum dress with notebook paper printBy McQ Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueenLocated in San Fransisco, CAUnusual, draped peplum dress with notebook paper print and black pencil skirt designed by Alexander Mcqueen for McQ dating to the mid to late 2000's. It...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1980's ISSEY MIYAKE white linen duster jacket and matching skirtBy Issey MiyakeLocated in San Fransisco, CAWhite, linen duster jacket and matching skirt with knotted button closure designed by Issey Miyake dating to the 1980's. Jacket is labeled a small and skirt is labeled a medium. Duster measure approximately: shoulder 20", bust 42", arm from shoulder to cuff 20.5" and overall length from top of collar to bottom of hem at center back 45". Skirt measures approximately: 26" waist (unstretched), 40" at hip and 30" long. Hidden button closure at jacket as well as decorative knotted...Category
1980s Hong Kong Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Gianni Versace Couture Black Silver Silk Wool Lamè Evening Skirt Suit 1980sBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Brindisi, BtGianni Versace Couture evening 80s vintage women's skirt suit. Jacket and skirt in wool and silk . Color black laminated, inside silver lining. Jacket with clip closure, sheath skirt...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 2006 Valentino Runway Beaded Black Silk Avant Garde Beaded Jacket & SkirtBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis is an absolutely sensational Valentino Garavani Spring 2006 raw silk skirt evening suit with a gorgeous blazer that has a beaded bow with tassels i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- New Vintage Givenchy Couture Black Velvet Sequins & Lace Evening Suit w TagsBy GivenchyLocated in Portland, ORThis black velvet Givenchy Couture skirt suit is embellished with black sequins and lace. We love the bold gold tone starburst and black enamel buttons on the jacket. The black velv...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pauline Trigère Ensemble with Fox TrimBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Alford, MAStunning Pauline Trigère 1970s ensemble in black wool crepe, the simple dress underneath an unusual reverse cape/shawl terminating in deep black fox trim at t...Category
1970s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1990s Vintage Donna Karan 2pc Cashmere Silk Evening Dress W Sequins & CardiganBy Donna KaranLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Donna Karan 3 piece evening ensemble includes a 2 piece vintage dress with an open cardigan. The skirt and halter top are perfect for any special occasion or cocktail p...Category
1990s Hong Kong Cocktail Dresses
- Diane Freis Limited Edition Black Silk Jersey Dress & Pants W Velvet DetailBy Diane FreisLocated in Portland, ORWe absolutely love Diane Freis vintage pieces and this one is so unique! This vintage Diane Freis 2 piece evening ensemble is in a black silk jersey with velvet burnout accents in sh...Category
1980s Hong Kong Evening Dresses and Gowns