Balenciaga by Nicholas Ghesquiere Floral Pattern Gown, S / S 2008
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1964072483
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.
- Richard Quinn Runway Duchess Satin & Silk Coat Dress EnsembleBy Richard QuinnLocated in Los Angeles, CAStunning purple bellflower coat with matching dress evening ensemble by Richard Quinn. Fashioned of duchess satin and silk illustrated in a painterly monet fabric. Coat is oversiz...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Delpozo Dreamy One-Shoulder Polka Dot Dramatic Silk Chiffon GownBy DelpozoLocated in Los Angeles, CAA dreamy entrance gown in soft purple polka dot by Delpozo. A one shoulder fitted bodice and waist extending into a full dramatic skirt. Beautifully crafted and designed soft lea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Zandra Rhode Beautiful 1978 Mexican Collection Maxi dress with BeltBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Los Angeles, CA1978 Zanda Rhodes silk chiffon maxi dress with satin tie belt. Pattern represents that of the designer's Mexican collection. Dress offered in excellent condition. Dress features ...Category
20th Century Maxi Dress
- KaufmanFranco Asymmetric One Shoulder Runway Gown NewBy KaufmanFrancoLocated in Los Angeles, CAKaufmanFranco black silk gown designed with stunning visual appeal. Boasts lined and padded interior bonded bodice with side zipper closure. Lightly draped skirt with high front s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Antonio Berardi Runway Silk Jacquard Floral Cheonsang Stunning Sexy DressBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Los Angeles, CAAntonio Berardi sexy silk jacquard floral print dress was one of the standout dresses of the Spring 2015 collection. Designed in the style of a Chinese chenosang slashed thru at ...Category
2010s Toga Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Racy Ribbon Body Hugging Dress New!By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAJean Paul Gaultier body hugging ribbon dress fashioned of rayon and poly with a bit of stretch. Features nude net look shoulder treatment extending int...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Amethyst Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated amythest colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. Named after a Greek cla...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Silk Nautical Evening Gown S/S 2016 Size 2By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Full length nautical evening gown with voluminous sheer fabric panels. This vibrant gown has a strapless pleated bodice and built in corset with a zipper...Category
2010s American Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace studded evening dress, c. 1990sBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBA Gianni Versace studded silk jersey evening dress from the 1990s. It 42 - Fr 38Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vicky Tiel 1980's Purple Silk Velvet GownBy Vicky TielLocated in Scottsdale, AZA 1980's gem! Make a statement in this electrifying purple maxi-dress in a beautifully soft silk velvet. There are so many smart design features done by Vicky Tiel including an ultra-flattering ruched mid-section, exaggerated shoulder...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière checked silk structured mini dress, ss 2008By BalenciagaLocated in London, GB▪ Important Balenciaga purple and white checked silk mini dress ▪ Designed by Nicolas Ghesquière ▪ Structured form made out of silk backed with foam ▪ Edges expose the layers of fab...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Peter Pilotto Yellow Taffeta Crop Top with Purple Ballroom Skirt Size 4By Peter PilottoLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAPeter Pilotto Yellow Taffeta Crop Top with Purple Ballroom Skirt This Peter Pilotto paneled, yellow, taffeta Top with purple long Skirt is a show-st...Category
2010s Polish Evening Dresses