BALMAIN Cocktail Dress in Black Silk Embroidered with Black Sequins Size 38
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 68.9 in (175 cm)Marked Size: 38 (EU)Waist: 13.39 in (34 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:
Balmain
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, Pierre Balmain 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 Balmain learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, Balmain’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.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since Pierre Balmain’s death in 1982, the design reins 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 Balmain dresses, skirts, shoes and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- DOLCE & GABBANA Cocktail Dress in Black Silk Size 40 ITBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Paris, FRDolce & Gabbana Cocktail dress in black silk. Strapless cut with integrated frame and straps, zipped at the back. Dimensions flat: low width: 48 cmCategory
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- CHRISTIAN DIOR Black Cocktail Dress Embroidered with Brilliant and Black PearlsBy Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior black cocktail dress embroidered with marquise cut brilliant and black pearls with a bow at the chest. It has a fitted cut a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- ZUHAIR MURAD Short Cocktail Dress in Black and Beige Silk and Polyamide Size 38By Zuhair MuradLocated in Paris, FRZuhair Murad short cocktail dress in black and beige silk and polyamide. The dress is adorned with black draped fabric, black pearls and shiny s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- ROCHAS Backless Brown DressBy RochasLocated in Paris, FRRochas backless brown long dress. It attaches to the neck with an invisible snap buttons and in the back thanks to a 36 cm zipper. Very good condition. Label size and material are mi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Day Dresses
- BOTTEGA VENETA Cocktail Dress in Black Silk and Leather Size 42ITBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Paris, FRExceptional Bottega Veneta dress in black silk draped at the bust under a black corrugated leather plastron. It has 2 pockets on the sides. It clo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
- VALENTINO Black Silk Cocktail Dress Size 8USBy ValentinoLocated in Paris, FRCocktail dress black silk Valentino embroidered with lace of pearls and with sequins. Zipper on the left-hand side of the dress (38 cms in length). It has a triple black fine silk ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Greek Style Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. Named after a Greek classi...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- 1970s Chanel Creations Black Silk Micro Pleated Shirt DressBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery sweet 1970s Chanel Creations short sleeve shirtdress. Micro pleated black silk with removable white cotton Peter Pan neckline and cuffs. Black and bronze tone lions head small b...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Naeem Khan Sequin V-Neck Fitted Cocktail Dress US 4By Naeem KhanLocated in Brossard, QCSequin embellished dress in deep V-neck design Deep V-neck Long sleeves Concealed back zip About 45" from shoulder to hem Acetate/polyester Dry clean ImportedCategory
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Dresses
- Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren grey smock dress, ss 1983By Vivienne Westwood, Worlds EndLocated in London, GB▪ A rare Worlds End grey cotton smock dress ▪ Designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren ▪ Tain panel at the front skirt which can be worn as a shawl ▪ Drawstring neckline ...Category
1980s English Day Dresses
