1950s Charcoal Gray Balenciaga Skirt Suit With Oversized Jewelled Buttons
View Similar Items
1950s Charcoal Gray Balenciaga Skirt Suit With Oversized Jewelled Buttons
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:The heavy wool is woven in a cross hatch pattern.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Altered (not by designer).
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU22824829551
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.
- 1960's Anonymous Bonded Wool Glen Check Dress and Coat SetLocated in Toronto, OntarioThis uber chic Italian black and white hounds tooth ensemble dates from the 1960's. 7/8th length A-line coat is collared and double breasted. Four patch pockets detailed with a singl...Category
1960s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980s Patricia Lester Blue Panné Velvet EnsembleBy Patricia LesterLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Patricia Lester ensemble. Blue panné velvet pressed to create a white swirl throughout. Top features a cowl neck with buttons, drop shoulders, Dolm...Category
1980s Welsh Skirt Suits
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Khaki Wool Skirt SuitBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche khaki wool skirt suit. Jacket features shoulder pads that create a strong, statement shape. Jacket is slightly asymmetric with two middle and low...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Early 1980s Yves Saint Laurent/YSL Houndstooth Skirt SuitBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Toronto, OntarioYSL Rive Gauche skirt suit from the early 1980s. Black and white wool houndstooth with contrasting black velvet collar detail. Classic blazer wi...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Fall/Winter 1998 Christian Dior Grey Wool Tweed Skirt Suit with Cream LaceBy Christian DiorLocated in Toronto, OntarioChristian Dior suit from the fall/winter 1998 collection. Grey wool tweed blazer embellished with with cream lace at the notched collar and cuffs. Oversized shoulders and three match...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- 1990s Akris White and Blue Polka Dot & Embroidered Leaf Cotton EnsembleLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery pretty Akris shirt and skirt set from the 1990s. Beautiful white cotton with an all over royal blue abstract polka dot print that looks hand painted. The set is further detailed...Category
1990s Swiss Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 2002 Vintage "Portraits" Wrap DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Berlin, DEJean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 2002 Vintage Pop art "Portraits" Mesh Madi Wrap Backless Dress SHIPPING FROM BERLIN The creme del la creme of my extensive collection. The most covet...Category
1990s European Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Azzedine Alaia charcoal grey molten wool trouser suit, fw 1987By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBPresenting an exquisite Azzedine Alaia charcoal grey molten wool trouser suit, a true masterpiece from the autumn-winter 1987 collection. This suit exemplifies the designer's impecca...Category
1980s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Vivienne Westwood cotton cropped jacket and bondage pant suit, S / S 1993By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB- Oversized cropped jacket - Pants with bondage straps, velcro and zip fastenings Spring-Summer 1993Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood blue and red striped skirt, blouse and tie ensemble ss 1996By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBOriginal Vivienne Westwood Gold Label ensemble featuring a blue an d red striped skirt, blouse, and very rare wide tie. Spring-summer 1996 Measurements: Shirt (UK 12) Shoulder - 2...Category
1990s British Skirt Suits
- Vivienne Westwood blue striped Harris Tweed skirt suit, fw 1996By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood Harris Tweed skirt suit ▪ 100% wool ▪ Blue, navy and white stripes ▪ Single-breasted blazer jacket ▪ Two fron...Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Worlds End mens pantsuit, pirate collection, circa 1981By Worlds End, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLarenLocated in London, GBA rare pantsuit by Worlds End, designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren, circa 1981. Pirate inspired design, blue, white and green striped cotto...Category
1980s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles