1960's BALENCIAGA Haute Couture silk tunic dress
View Similar Items
1960's BALENCIAGA Haute Couture silk tunic dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:100% Silk
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Newport Beach, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU306669452
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.
- Philipp Plein Women's Graphic Printed Ruched Mini DressBy Philipp PleinLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to dress is evident. Minimal wear to the outer fabric where lines to thread can be seen on this used Philipp Plein designer resale item. Detail...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Mini Dresses
- Ann Demeulemeester Black Asymmetrical Long DressBy Ann DemeulemeesterLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Ann Demeulemeester black asymmetrical long dress. Featuring medium weight see through fabric with asymmetrical hem. Her signature style has always been consistently dark with a roc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- 90s Herve Leger Violet Signature Body Con Bondage Jersey Mesh Maxi DressBy Herve LégerLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Herve Leger violet signature body con "bondage" like jersey mesh maxi dress. - Featuring a back zipper closure and an attached black ...Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- Plein Sud Black Leather Trim See Through Sleeveless DressBy Plein SudLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Plein Sud black leather trim see through sleeveless dress. Featuring thirty hooks for fastening closure. - Made in France. - Size 42. - 77% Nylon, 23% Spandex. ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Vintage Donald Campbell Fruit Print Cotton DressLocated in London, GBA fun vintage cotton dress for Summer by Donald Campbell. The fabric and print are wonderful. The dress is fully lined, has a scoop neckline , g...Category
1980s British Day Dresses
- M. Missoni Abstract Print Silk Dress (40 ITL) NWTBy Rosella Jardini, M MissoniLocated in Port Hope, ONEasy to wear and travel with this Missoni silk dress has a hidden side zip closure; short sleeves, and a round neckline with a nice slit opening. T...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
$213 Sale Price46% Off