BALENCIAGA Anthracite First Arena Motorcycle Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Tampa, FL
This is an authentic BALENCIAGA Anthracite First Arena Motorcycle Bag. It is done in fabulous supple coal/grey leather.
Category
Balenciaga First Bag
Recent Sales
Balenciaga First 2way 868614 Orange Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 12.9 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 33 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 7.48 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 19 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 2.36 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 6 cm(approx) H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First 2way 867997 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 16.9 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 43 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 11.0 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 28 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 0.39 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 1 cm(approx) H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First 2way 867981 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 12.5 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 32 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 7.08 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 18 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 2.36 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 6 cm(approx) H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First City 2way 868857 Pink Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 14.9 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 38 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 9.84 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 25 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 5.11 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 13 cm(approx) ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First City 2way 868680 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
Unavailable
H 7.08 in W 2.36 in L 12.9 in
Balenciaga First City 2way 868680 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 12.9 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 33 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 7.08 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 18 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 2.36 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 6 cm(approx) H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Shoulder Bag in Jute and Red Leather inserts
By Balenciaga
Located in Milan, IT
This is an authentic Balenciaga First made in Jute and red Leather inserts, used in very good condition, some little stains as showed in pics- Condition: pre-owned in very good con...
Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga Pale The First 2way 869753 Green Leather Shoulder Bag
Unavailable
H 6.69 in W 2.75 in L 12.9 in
Balenciaga Pale The First 2way 869753 Green Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 12.9 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 33 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 6.69 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 17 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 2.75 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 7 cm(approx) H...
Category
20th Century Italian Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga Khaki First 2way City 869960 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
Unavailable
H 7.48 in W 2.36 in L 12.5 in
Balenciaga Khaki First 2way City 869960 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 12.5 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 32 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 7.48 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 19 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 2.36 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 6 cm(approx) H...
Category
20th Century Italian Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga Giant City First 2way 868885 Beige Leather Shoulder Bag
Unavailable
H 9.05 in W 4.72 in L 14.5 in
Balenciaga Giant City First 2way 868885 Beige Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 14.5 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 37 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 9.05 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 23 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 4.72 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 12 cm(approx) ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga Powder The First City 2way 868160 Blue Leather Shoulder Bag
Unavailable
H 9.05 in W 7.08 in L 15.7 in
Balenciaga Powder The First City 2way 868160 Blue Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 15.7 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 40 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 9.05 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 23 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 7.08 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 18 cm(approx) ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga Oxford The First City Handbag 868288 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
Unavailable
H 11 in W 7.08 in L 17.3 in
Balenciaga Oxford The First City Handbag 868288 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Width (inch) : 17.3 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 44 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 11.0 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 28 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 7.08 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 18 cm(approx) ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga Blue The First 2way Bag 38bal122
By Balenciaga
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 103208-213048 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 13" Width: 2" Height: 7.5" Shoulder Handle Drop: 8.5" Handle Drop: 4.5" OVERALL GOOD CONDITION ( 7/1...
Category
20th Century Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First 2way 867981 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Dix hills, NY
Width (inch) : 12.5 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 32 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 7.08 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 18 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 2.36 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 6 cm(appr...
Category
20th Century Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga 285433 First Two Way Black & Rose Gold Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in New York, NY
Balenciaga 285433 First Two Way Black & Rose Gold Bag
Category
2010s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
BALENCIAGA Distressed Red Leather Classic First Motorcycle Bag BHW
By Balenciaga
Located in New York, NY
Balenciaga Distressed Red Leather Classic First Motorcycle Bag Features detachable pocket mirror Made in: Italy Color: Red and brass Hardware: Brass Materials: Leather, textile,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga Powder The First City 2way 868160 Blue Leather Shoulder Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Dix hills, NY
Width (inch) : 15.7 inch(approx) Width (cm) : 40 cm(approx) Height (inch) : 9.05 inch(approx) Height (cm) : 23 cm(approx) Depth (inch) : 7.08 inch(approx) Depth (cm) : 18 cm(app...
Category
20th Century Top Handle Bags
2000s BALENCIAGA Khaki Distressed Lambskin Leather First Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Bangkok, TH
This Balenciaga First bag is Crafted of khaki distressed lambskin leather featuring hand stitched handles and a removable shoulder strap of the same leather and a zip pocket at the f...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoulder Bags
BALENCIAGA Periwinkle First Motorcycle Bag W/ Mirror RT $1595
By Balenciaga
Located in New York, NY
BALENCIAGA Periwinkle First Motorcycle Bag This classic Balenciaga bag can be worn using only the top handles in the crook of the arm or with the removable strap at the shoulder. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Handbags and Purses
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
This Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather, crafted from green leather, features braided woven handles, exterior front zip pocket, classic studs and buckle details, and aged gol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
This Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather, crafted from pink leather, features braided woven handles, exterior front zip pocket, classic studs and buckle details, and brass-ton...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
This Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather, crafted from light green leather, features braided woven handles, exterior front zip pocket, classic studs and buckle details, and br...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga Black Leather First Classic Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
This Balenciaga First Classic tote is a must have. Its leather exterior is designed with dark gold-tone hardware and Balenciaga’s signature front zipper pocket and studs.
Category
2010s Spanish Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga Green Leather First RSH Bag
By Balenciaga
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
This Balenciaga Classic First shoulder bag is perfect for everyday use.
Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, Dust Bag, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7.5", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Minor wear and creasing on base corners, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7.5", Width 13", Depth 3", Strap Dr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Creasing on exterior, wear on base corners, handles, strap and in interior, slight cracking on strap wax edges, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Creasing and discoloration on exterior, heavy darkening and wear on handles, minor wear in interior, scratches and tarnish on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Meas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Minor wear and discoloration on base corners and handles, creasing on exterior, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Heigh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Splitting on strap base trim and zipper pull wax edges, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 6.5", Width 13", Depth 2...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Heavy wear and broken zipper pull leather trims, scratches and tarnish on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 6.5", Width 13", ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Minor wear in interior, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7", Width 12", Depth 2", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Material: Leather Exterior Col...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, Dust Bag, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7.5", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, Dust Bag, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7.5", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Wear in interior, stain on interior base, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8" D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Heavy wear and darkening on handles, marks on handle bases, scratches and discoloration on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7"...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Material: Leather Ex...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Mater...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior M...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Slight cracking, heavy peeling and splitting on strap wax edges, splitting and fraying on strap base wax edges, wear in interior, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, Dust Bag, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8.5" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Giant Studs Bag Leather ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Heavy splitting and peeling on handle, strap base and opening wax edges, wear in interior, scratches and discoloration on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurem...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 9" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Mat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
., Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7.5", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 9" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Mat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Wear and marks in interior, scratches and discoloration on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior M...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8.5" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Mate...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Giant Studs Bag Leather Exterior Material: Lea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 3", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Giant Studs Bag Leather Exterior Materia...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior Ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Giant Studs Bag Leather Exterior Mate...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
Balenciaga First Giant Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 8" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Giant Studs Bag Leather Exterior Mate...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 5", Height 7", Width 12.5", Depth 2", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior M...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Balenciaga First Classic Studs Bag Leather
By Balenciaga
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Mirror, With Strap Measurements: Handle Drop 4.5", Height 7", Width 13", Depth 2.5", Strap Drop 10" Designer: Balenciaga Model: First Classic Studs Bag Leather Exterior ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
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Balenciaga First Bag For Sale on 1stDibs
On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate vintage or contemporary balenciaga first bag for your needs in our varied inventory. If you’re looking for an option in Black and you’re unable to find the right fit, there are plenty of variations in Brown, Beige and more. If you’re looking for a balenciaga first bag from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. When shopping for these accessories, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men or unisex today than there are for women.
How Much is a Balenciaga First Bag?
Prices for a balenciaga first bag can differ depending upon size, designer and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $260 and can go as high as $1,489, while, on average they fetch $779.
Balenciaga for sale on 1stDibs
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.
Finding the Right Handbags-purses-bags for You
An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.
Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”
First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.
They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”
From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.
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