Balenciaga Black Rim Cat Eye Sunglasses
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Height: 2 in (5.08 cm)Length: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:
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: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Marni Ik Kil Cenote Tinted SunglassesBy MarniLocated in Beverly Hills, CADesigned exclusively for Marni, this is an oversized shape characterized by bold acetate construction and an iconic rounded geometry. Inspired by playful vintage designs, Ik Kil Ceno...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sunglasses
- Christian Dior Round Tortoise SunglassesBy Christian DiorLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- Dior Celestial Limited Edition - Tortoise frame - Black lenses - Comes with the original outer box, case and cleaning clothCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Sunglasses
- Vintage Cartier Paris Oval Sunglasses w/ CaseBy CartierLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- Silver tone hardware - Navy gradient lenses - Oval/ cat-eye shape - Made in FranceCategory
Late 20th Century French Sunglasses
- Vintage YSL Brown and Black Square SunglassesBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: Circa 1970. Featuring clear brown and black matte finish frames, round square light brown gradient lens, silver tone YSL logo on the sides. Signed Yves Saint Lauren...Category
1970s French Sunglasses
- Oliver Peoples Darien Brown Round Sunglasses w/ CaseBy Oliver PeoplesLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- Gold tone hardware - Brown gradient lenses - Round shape - Comes with the original case - Made in ItalyCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Sunglasses
- Fendi Fendima Round SunglassesBy FendiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: The glasses feature black metal, round frames, mirror lenses with 'F' motif, thin and rounded spoilers.Category
2010s Italian Sunglasses
- Optical Affairs - Series KL2 - brown lizard skin sunglasses - 1987By Optical AffairsLocated in Miami Beach, FLOptical Affairs Series KL2. This one-of-a-kind collector’s item has genuine brown lizard skin wrapping the entire frame with precision and true craftsmanship. A luxurious take on Opt...Category
1980s French Sunglasses
- Cazal 1980s 951 Gold Tone SunglassesBy CazalLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Cazal 1980s 951 Gold Tone Sunglasses, an iconic and statement-making accessory that exudes luxury and sophistication. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the...Category
1980s Sunglasses
- Urbani Venice Purple Laser Cut SunglassesLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Urbani Venice Purple Laser Cut Sunglasses, a stunning pair of statement sunglasses that exude vintage charm and contemporary flair. Crafted in the 1980s, these sungla...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
- White Saint Laurent Wayfarer SunglassesBy Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYWhite acetate wayfarer sunglasses by Saint Laurent. Brown tinted lenses. 1.5" height, 5.5" width, 6" length.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Sunglasses
- RAY-BAN RX 5154 5650 Clubmaster Plastic Tortoise/ Havana EyeglassBy Ray-BanLocated in New York, NYRay-Ban, the world's most beloved eyewear company, continues their legacy by producing classic styles with modern innovations. From the iconic Wayfarer to the original aviator, Ray-B...Category
2010s Chinese Sunglasses
- Versace MOD 4098_B GB1/BG 120 3N Black Oversized Women Sunglasses, PreownedBy VersaceLocated in New York, NYVersace MOD 4098_B GB1/BG 120 3N Black Oversized Women Sunglasses, Preowned, Excellent Condition Made in Italy Black Women Sunglasses, Oversized Black ...Category
2010s Italian Sunglasses