Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière SS-2008 Silk Ruffle Detail Flower Print Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 37.8 in (96 cm)Marked Size: 36 (EU)Bust: 16.15 in (41 cm)Waist: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Style:Nicolas Ghesquière era (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:
- Condition:Not previously worn or owned item. Excellent vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Brussels, BE
- 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, 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: Brussels, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Antonio Berardi FW-2004 Silk Sleeveless Print DressBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Brussels, BEDespite being born in the UK, Antonio Berardi’s roots are Sicilian ones, explaining his love of drama and femininity. This gorgeous silk dress, which mixes a variety of prints and mo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Sonia Rykiel SS-2002 Viscose Mix Flower Print Slip DressBy Sonia RykielLocated in Brussels, BEFlower Power remains an all-time boho statement, and Sonia Rykiel’s career interestingly took off in the early 1970s. Throughout her prolific years as a designer, Rykiel loved going ...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- John Galliano SS-2005 Cotton and Silk Officer Pants with Contrast PipingBy John GallianoLocated in Brussels, BEThroughout his career, John Galliano drew inspiration from the military and the beauty of ancient uniforms. Referencing famous historical films, such as “Barry Lyndon...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pants
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford FW-2003 Higher Waist Cotton PantsBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Brussels, BEMenswear shapes were a constant source of inspiration for French designer Yves Saint Laurent. He put women in tailored pants and tuxedo suits, which created outrage in the late 1960s...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pants
- John Galliano 1990s Cotton and Viscose Embellished JacketBy John GallianoLocated in Brussels, BEHollywood Glamour was always on John Galliano’s mind and his penchant for opulence is the stuff of fashion legends. This adorable printed jacket, whose collar and sleeves are embellished with shimmery sequins, emphasizes the chest and underlines the waist. Could it be Louise Brooks that we see printed throughout? Either way, this is a definite feel-good piece, perfect for parties and memorable evenings. Ready-to-wear 90s floral blazer inspired from his spring 1998 Couture...Category
1990s French Jackets
- John Galliano SS-2002 Cotton Printed T-ShirtBy John GallianoLocated in Brussels, BEIn his 1990s collections, John Galliano frequently used print to spice up his more casual pieces, coming up with esoteric and symbolic schemes. This colorful hand resting on a printe...Category
Early 2000s French T-Shirts
- Gai Mattiolo Elegant Vintage Checkered SuitBy Gai MattioloLocated in Milano, ITElegant suit by Gai Mattiolo Vintage of 1973. The suit is composed of two pieces: a sheath dress skirt and a woman's double-breasted jacket. The fabric is 60% acetate and 40% Cupro. ...Category
1970s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Fendi 365 Black and White Checked Day Dress with hidden skirt, 1980'sBy FendiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a black and white checked day dress by Fendi 365, from the 1980's. The dress signature "Fendi" buttons up the front, puffed and cuffed short sleeves,...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- 1980S White Gold Lamé Rayon/Lurex Fil Coupé Chiffon Cocktail DressLocated in New York, NY1980S White Gold Lamé Rayon/Lurex Fil Coupé Chiffon Cocktail DressCategory
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- 1940S Purple Rayon Blend Crepe Silver Studded Dress With Ruffles & Shirring, AsLocated in New York, NYColor fading along shoulder and sleeves. 1940S Purple Rayon Blend Crepe Silver Studded Dress With Ruffles & Shirring, As-IsCategory
1940s Casual Dresses
- 1980S Burgundy, Blue & Grey Wool Blend Knit Long Sleeve French Body-Con DressLocated in New York, NY1980S Burgundy, Blue & Grey Wool Blend Knit Long Sleeve French Body-Con DressCategory
1980s Casual Dresses
- 1990S ISSEY MIYAKE Metallic Gunmetal Grey Knit Mini Dress Swim Cover-UpBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NY1990S ISSEY MIYAKE Metallic Gunmetal Grey Knit Mini Dress Swim Cover-UpCategory
1990s Cage Dresses