A Pierre Balmain Lurex Knitting Three-pieces Set - France Circa 1980
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Equivalent french size 36/38 (EU)
- Style:Pierre Balmain (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent condition and color.
- Seller Location:Toulon, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU63333560211
Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer's postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.
From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Balmain's founder was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.
Today’s Balmain has more in common with the master’s original haute couture than you might expect: sharply tailored blazers that nip in at the waist, delicate stilettos and ultra-feminine evening dresses are wardrobe basics for the 21st-century woman, too. Lovers of couture history will also prize the fluid, easy sketches from the master’s own hand they’ll find on offer here, while fashionistas clamor for the brand’s t-shirts, military-style jackets and skinny jeans.
Whether you’re a colonel in Rousteing’s “glamour army” or you fancy yourself a “Jolie Madame,” a Balmain piece — from the 1960s or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, Balmain feels right now.
Find vintage Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Toulon, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 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 French Evening Dress in Fibranne Early 1940Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1935/1940 France Astonishing indoor or evening coat dress in pink purple and yellow gold synthetic fibranne from the 1940s. Heavy and very fine fabric with an excellent "drop"...Category
1940s French Evening Dresses
- French Couture Art Deco Flapper Dress Net and Voile Embroidered Circa 1920/1925Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1920/1925 France Evening dress in powder pink muslin and embroidered tulle from the Art Deco period around 1920/1925. Low-waisted straight dress ...Category
1920s French Day Dresses
- 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 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 Louis Féraud Couture Embroidered Chiffon Dress & Ostrich feathers - Fall 1981By Louis FeraudLocated in Toulon, FRFall Winter 1981-1982 Collection France Amazing evening dress in embroidered silk chiffon by Louis Féraud Haute Couture from the 1981-1982 collection. Loose blousante dress with pu...Category
1980s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1970s Albert Nipon Halter Dress in Linen and Cotton Floral Print Size 2By Albert NiponLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful vintage dress from Albert Nipon in a gorgeous linen cotton blend print with micro herringbone stripes and bold pink, yellow and white big flowers. One of the hal...Category
1970s Hong Kong Day Dresses
- Versace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Capri, ITVersace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Early 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Houndstooth Satin Appliqué Skirt SetBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful check pattern Gianni Versace skirt set, designed by Gianni Versace. From the late 1980s / early 1990s, this beautiful set is m...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2001 Gianni Versace by Donatella White Backless Dress with TagsBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a white backless Gianni Versace dress, designed by Donatella Versace. A seemingly simple long sleeve v-neck dress from the front that will turn heads with a fully open bac...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Chambray Iridescent Pink Jungle Shirt DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a glamourous sleeveless chambray shirt dress designed by Donatella for the Gianni Versace Spring/Summer 2000 collection. The three-quarter sleeve version of this piece debuted as look number 32 on Kiara Kabukuru in the season's runway presentation and appeared on Amber Valletta...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 1995 Gianni Versace Couture Runway Grey Pleated Silk Velvet DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a lustrous satin and velvet Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1995 collection, the dress debuted on the season's runway as look number 56 on Kristen McMenamy...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses