Balenciaga Lavender Woven Straw Wedges
View Similar Items
Balenciaga Lavender Woven Straw Wedges
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Marked Size: 36 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:2" Platform
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 2844006065231stDibs: LU435824542
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.
- Simone Rocha "Cindy Rella" Transparent Oxfords Shoes EU 39By Simone RochaLocated in New York, NYSimone Rocha "Cindy Rella" Transparent Shoes EU 39Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Balenciaga Printed Leather Pumps 40 FRBy BalenciagaLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Balenciaga Product: Printed Leather Pumps Size: 40 Fr Colour: Grey & Multi-Tone Print Heel: 11.5 Cm Material: Smooth Leather Condition: Pristine; Never Worn Acco...Category
2010s Shoes
- Giuseppe Zanotti, Metallic sandalsBy Giuseppe ZanottiLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLGiuseppe Zanotti, Metallic sandals with python print. The item is in good condition and comes with box and dustbag. Giuseppe Zanotti, Metallic sandals with python print. The item is...Category
2010s Shoes
- ALAIA Grey Suede Studded Booties Size 39By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAThese pair of ALAIA heels are the perfect winter shoes! Made with grey suede and an intricate studded design. Would look great with any casual daytime loo...Category
2010s Shoes
- Vintage 1990s Manolo Blahnik Multi-color Pumps Size 40By Manolo BlahnikLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAUnique, vintage, rare multi colored Manolo Blahnik pumps with pointed toe and multi colored pink, green, and purple. Burnished gold detail. Completely unworn. Size 40 Heel: 12 cm (...Category
1980s Shoes
$472 Sale Price30% Off - Manolo Blahnik Vintage Open Toe Beaded Slide Sandals W Pink Embroidered FlowersBy Manolo BlahnikLocated in Portland, ORThese pretty gray Manolo Blahnik shoes have beautiful embroidered pink flowers with cream centers and embroidered green leaves that are embellished with beading. These open toe slid...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sandals