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.
Grey wool skirt suit BALENCIAGA 1957
By Balenciaga
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Grey wool skirt suit . Silk lining. Raglan sleeve. Button and buttonhole closure on the middle front. Cut-work. Jacket size: 38 (Fr) M Skirt size : 36 (Fr) S
2000s Balenciaga Paisley Print Three piece Suit by Nicolas Ghesquière
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Spring/Summer 2006 Balenciaga Three piece suit fitted Jacket, silk blouse and fitted pants designed by Nicolas Ghesquière. size 36fr Beautiful fitted jacket in grey, black and silver...
Elegant Eisa Oatmeal Wool Jersey Ensemble, Balenciaga
By Balenciaga, Eisa
Located in New York, NY
Lovely and elegant Eisa Oatmeal Wool Jersey Ensemble by Balenciaga from the 1960's. Easy sleeveless princess line top with tonal buttons and bound buttonholes. The top ends exactly a...
Balenciaga black suit
By Balenciaga
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
BALENCIAGA - (Made in France) Black pant suit. Silk lining. Size 40FR. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Jacket: Shoulder width: 41 cm - Chest: 45 cm - Sleeve length: 52 c...
1958 EISA by CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA haute couture black boucle wool skirt suit
By Balenciaga, Eisa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, jet-black boucle wool haute couture suit designed by Cristobal Balenciaga for his Eisa boutique dating to fall of 1958. Suit best fits a size 0-4 . Approximate measurement...
Peach tweed skirt-suit Balenciaga
By Balenciaga
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Peach tweed skirt-suit SIZE L
1960's Cristóbal Balenciaga haute couture black brocade dress and jacket
By Balenciaga
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare jet black floral brocade dress and matching jacket from Cristobal Balenciaga dating to the early 1960's. Ensemble best fits a small US s...
1980s Balenciaga Le Dix Green Dress Coat Set
By Balenciaga
Located in Miami, FL
1980s vintage Balenciaga Le Dix wool dress and car coat. The fabric is a beautiful forest green light wool with silk lining. The dress has 3/4 sleeves, a high round neckline, a sligh...
BALENCIAGA blue PARIS PRINT STRETCH VELVET SHORT Jumpsuit 36 XS
By Balenciaga
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Balenciaga Paris printed jumpsuit in electric blue and black stretch-velvet (polyamide (85%) and elastane (15%)). Features long sleeves and ruched shoulders. Unlined. ...
Balenciaga Early 2000s Pink Silk Set Top and Pants
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Milano, IT
- Designed by Nicolas Ghesquière - Early 2000s - Pink Sleeveless Top - Bootcut Pants - Made in France - Materials: Silk - Size: FR 40 - EN 44 - UK 12 - US 8 (EU)
Balenciaga Sequin Orange And Black Tiger Stripe Ensemble 2020
By Balenciaga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to present a Balenciaga by Demna Gvasalia orange and black tiger stripe sequined ensemble. The top features a turtle neck, long sleeves, a fitted silh...
Balenciaga By Nicolas Ghesquiere Scuba Top & Skirt 2003
By Balenciaga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere scuba collection ensemble featuring a tropical printed top with padded sleeves and a high-waisted ...
Timeless Cristobal Balenciaga Haute Couture Ribbed Silk Suit
By Balenciaga
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Cristobal Balenciaga Haute Couture Ribbed Silk Suit in an unusual black textile with slight sheen, likely of silk with wool....
Balenciaga, black velour eiffeltower pyjama suit
By Balenciaga
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Balenciaga, black velour pyjama suit with eiffeltower print. The item is in very good condition.
BALENCIAGA Runway black wool leather strap buckle apron dungaree
By Balenciaga
Located in Hong Kong, NT
BALENCIAGA Runway black wool leather strap buckle apron dungaree Reference: EDTG/A00064 Brand: Balenciaga Designer: Demna Collection: Runway Material...
Size: Shirt Equivalent French Size 36
A Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Blouse and Pants Set Spring Summer Collection 2014
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Toulon, FR
Spring Summer Collection 2014 France Haute Couture set consisting of a blouse in white cotton poplin with puffed sleeves and a trousers in black crepe from the Spring Summer collection 2014 passage n ° 9 Jean Paul Gaultier. Blouse with dramatic amplitude and long puffed sleeves in shape of amphora and iron frame inspired by Gigot sleeves of the nineteenth century. Small collar and tabs in front hiding buttons in mother-of-pearl. Musketeer cuffs to equip a pair of cufflinks. Remarkable work of pleats leaving the collar to accentuate the assembly of Kimono sleeves. Low-rise trousers with straight cut closing by zip and hook. Embroidered label on pink tulle indicating Gaultier Paris. The set is clean, a bit or never worn but requires a dry cleaning to respect the whiteness of the cotton. Need to accessorize the set with a belt as here in the last two photos with a golden belt...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent ' Rive Gauche ' Black Skirt Suit Size 44 YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Yves Saint Laurent 'Rive Gauche' black skirt suit! Flattering neckline on jacket, with two dome gold buttons at waist, and at cuffs. Also features interior waist bu...
Size: Skirt 38, Jacket 40
UNWORN Dolce & Gabbana Bondage Buckle Leather Jacket Skirt Suit Ensemble Y2K KIM
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Switzerland, CH
Dolce & Gabbana Bondage Leather Skirt Jacket Suit Combination An extremely rare find and vintage piece Seen on Kim Kardashian in Milano Finest nappa leather Fully lined with bla...
Herve Leger New Navy Wrap Dress 1990s
By Herve Léger
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great off white striped navy blue wool dress from Herve Leger. The semi fitted wrap style dress has a breast pocket, peaked lapels and a double vent on top of a single vent in the...
Size: Recommended Size Small, UK 6-8.
Loud Archival 1990's MOSCHINO Barcode Striped Denim Jacket & Skirt Set
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Loud Archival MOSCHINO Barcode Striped Jacket & Pencil Skirt Set A Flamboyantly chic 1990's example of Franco Moschino. Comprising a denim jacket with matching high-waisted mini skir...
Comme des Garcons AD 2002 Bondage Top and Jacket
By Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garçons
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black fine cotton 2 piece set consisting of a sleeveless top and matching jacket from Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons. The sleeves top has a crew neckline and a confi...
Valentino Celadon 1970's Ensemble
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Charming Valentino Celadon Ensemble from the 1970's comprising a silk crepe printed shirt and scarf with cotton twill full skirt. Soft silk crepe de chine pink floral print on celado...
Navy Gabriela Hearst Virgin Wool & Silk-Blend Pant Suit Size US S
By Gabriela Hearst
Located in New York, NY
Navy virgin wool and silk-blend pant suit by Gabriela Hearst. Blazer features notched collar, dual hip pockets, and sash tie closure at waist. Pants feature pleated wide legs, belt a...
Size: Pants 42 Jacket 44
CHANEL Black Shimmering Linen Evening Pants Jacket Suit Tuxedo Smoking 42-44
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Switzerland, CH
Beautiful CHANEL tuxedo-style pants suit A classy, timeless CHANEL signature item that will last you for many years Consisting of two pieces, jacket and trousers Can be worn as a a statement suit or each piece by itself Made of shiny linen blend fabric Double breast style jacket closes with "Chanel" buttons Amazing silhouette due to perfect fit tailoring Straight wide-leg pants with side satin strip adding the tuxedo...
Tom Ford/Gwyneth Paltrow Iconic Oscar Gown & Cape New!
By Tom Ford, Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super stunning iconic Tom Ford evening gown with matching cape. Identical to the one worn by Gwyneth Paltrow to the Oscars. The gown fashioned of off white silk crepe and lined in...
Size: none; comparable to size S
Marrakesh Ivory Sequin Blouson Top and Harem Pant Dinner Pajama Set - S, 1971
Located in Tucson, AZ
As festive and elegant as any party dress but as comfortable as pajamas, this ensemble conjures images of the Arabian Nights while remaining fashionably up-to-the-moment. Its soft, n...
Christian Dior Wool and Silk Suit Ensemble
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Dior -(Made in France) Wool and silk suit. Size indicated 36FR, it corresponds to a 34FR/36FR. Collection Winter 2001. Additional information: Dimensions: Jacket: Shoulder width...
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière FW 2006 Runway Plaid Wool Jacket & Skirt Suit
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Toronto, Ontario
From the Fall/Winter 2006 runway, this striking two-piece plaid windowpane ensemble is a modern homage to the house’s 1960s couture heritage. A celebrated look from one of Ghesquière...
Size: 42 (Fr) M
Blue skirt-suit with black Polka-Dots BALENCIAGA
By Balenciaga
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Blue skirt-suit with black Polka-dots. Main fabric composition: 100% cotton. No indication for the lining but it's probably rayon or acetate. Button and buttonhole closure on the mi...
Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière Silk Metallic Jacquard Tailored Suit, SS 2006
By Balenciaga
Located in London, GB
This women’s tailored ensemble from Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, Spring-Summer 2006, features a sharply constructed jacket and slim trousers executed in a silk jacquard with an ...
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière SS 2003 Runway Grey Blue Top and Skirt Set
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An archival piece from Nicolas Ghesquière’s groundbreaking Spring/Summer 2003 runway collection at Balenciaga, this coordinated set pushes the limits of tailoring and utility-inspire...
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière 2008 Sculpted Neoprene Jacket Skort Ensemble
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Toronto, Ontario
From Nicolas Ghesquière’s era-defining tenure at Balenciaga, this black neoprene ensemble is a powerful example of his exploration of volume, structure, and silhouette through high-t...
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière SS 2006 Runway Baroque Silk Jacquard Pant Suit
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A statement of sculptural tailoring and ornate precision, this archival two-piece suit from Nicolas Ghesquière’s Spring/Summer 2006 collection for Balenciaga is one of the designer’s...
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière FW 2006 Windowpane Wool Jacket & Skirt Ensemble
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Toronto, Ontario
From the Fall/Winter 2006 runway, this striking two-piece windowpane ensemble is a modern homage to the house’s 1960s couture heritage. A celebrated look from one of Ghesquière’s def...
BALENCIAGA Demna khaki brown backless harness leather buckle apron dungaree
By Balenciaga
Located in Hong Kong, NT
BALENCIAGA Demna khaki brown backless harness leather buckle apron dungaree Reference: CNTG/A00013 Brand: Balenciaga Designer: Demna Material: Feels like cotton, Leather Color: Brown...
Navy cotton jacquard skirt-suit with gold metal button Balenciaga Paris
By Balenciaga
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy cotton jacquard skirt-suit with gold metal button. Shoulder pad. Rayon lining. Extra button provide. Size 38 (M)
Beige wool "bouclette" skirt-suit Balenciaga Couture (numbered)
By Balenciaga
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Beige wool bouclette skirt-suit with silk ivory lining and wood buttons. Numbered 65557 SIZE M
Beige tweed skirt -suit with silk ivory lining Balenciaga
By Balenciaga
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Beige tweed skirt -suit with silk lining. SIZE 40 ( L)
Balenciaga Grey Wool & Black Velvet Deconstructed Dress w/ Zippers Circa 1990s
By Balenciaga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Balenciaga Grey Wool & Black Velvet Deconstructed Dress w/ Zippers Circa 1990s. Measurements- Size 38 Dress Length: 35 Inches Skirt Length: 19 I...