Balenciaga Black Leather Gladiator Sandals NEW SZ 40
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:Italy
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4492000773
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Comme Des Garçons Hand Painted Melissa Shoes Boots NEW SZ 24By Comme des GarçonsLocated in New York, NYComme Des Garçons Hand Painted Melissa Shoes Boots NEW with box and dust-bag Size 24 JP Material looks like rubber. FINAL SALECategory
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Shoes
- Givenchy Sock Boots New 39.5By GivenchyLocated in New York, NYGivenchy boots with socks.socks is attached and can not be removed from boot. Brand new, never worn with box,dust bag. Size 39.5. made in italy. Bottom of the boot is rubber and th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Chanel Leather CC Print Shoes Platforms NEW Size 39.5Located in New York, NY100% guaranteed authentic Brand new Chanel leather CC print platform shoes Sold out in stores. Box has little dent on the side. Size 39.5 FINAL SALECategory
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Chanel CC Shoes Platforms NEW Size 40Located in New York, NYChanel new platform shoes Sold out in stores. Size 40 Box and dust-bags included FINAL SALECategory
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Hermes Chypre Sandal NEW Size 39.5By HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes chypre sandals New in hermes box and dust bags . Made in italy.Size 39.5 .Please know your sizing since they run little small and they are...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- CHANEL Karl Lagerfeld Kitten Hill Camellia Chain Pearls Vintage Shoes 39 MintBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel camellia kitten hill shoes with removable gold tone chain ,pearls and mini CC on the chain. Condition is mint, never used with some minor flaws from storage. Chain with pearls...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Doucal’s Sequin Turquouise Degrade Slip On (42 EU) MensLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Turquouise MATERIAL: Sequin SIZE: Men’s 42 EU / 9 US CONDITION: Good - uppers are in decent condition and the bottoms are scratched up with marks, stains and scuffs. Made in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Dior Vintage Reptile Skin Black Bucked Pump (EU 36)By Christian DiorLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Black MATERIAL: Reptile skin SIZE: 36 EU / 5 US HEEL HEIGHT: 75 mm / 3” COMES WITH: Dust bag and box CONDITION: Excellent - like new. Never used. Made in ItalyCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Christian Dior 2000s Neoprene Lucite Etoile PumpsBy Christian DiorLocated in Scottsdale, AZWe know you're wishing for these Dior pumps! Circa recent 2000s, these pumps are crafted from black neoprene and feature "Dior" at the heel, a pointed toe and a 4" asymmetrical lucite wedge heel with silver...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Missoni Size 36 / 6 Green + Yellow Zig Zag Platforms Peep Toe High Heels ShoesBy MissoniLocated in San Diego, CAAdd a bit of jazz to any outfit in these early 2000s vintage MISSONI peep toe platform high heels ! Features the signature chevron zig zag patterns in kelly green, yellow, white and ...Category
Early 2000s Italian High Heels
- Valentino Suede and Fox BootBy ValentinoLocated in Water Mill, NYValentino Suede, Fox and Silk Ribbon Black 4.5" Heel BootsCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Delman Brown Suede Open-Toe Shoes, c.1950By DelmanLocated in Alford, MASophisticated and elegant late 1940s-early 1950s brown suede pumps featuring an open toe, chunky heel, and large grosgrain bow centering a tortoise ornament. Made by Delman for Bergdorf Goodman. From an estate of European royalty...Category
Mid-20th Century American Shoes