Balenciaga Black Printed Cotton Dress
View Similar Items
Balenciaga Black Printed Cotton Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 32 in (81.28 cm)Marked Size: 38 (EU)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Narberth, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU42732421403
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, 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.
- Missoni Metallic Lurex Crochet Knit Bodycon Fitted Dress 42By MissoniLocated in Switzerland, CHMissoni's sexy bodycon dress in the label's signature crochet knit lets you sparkle like a star Beautiful metallic crochet knit fabric Highlighted with a metallic-tone fabric insert...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$399 Sale Price50% Off - NEW Chanel Black Crochet Knit Woven Dress 42By ChanelLocated in Switzerland, CHLovely new interpretation of the timeless Chanel classic little black dress A true Chanel signature piece that will last for many years So versatile - dress it up with a slip dress (...Category
2010s French Informal Dresses
$999 Sale Price50% Off - NEW Missoni Monochrome Signature Chevron Zigzag Knit Dress 42By MissoniLocated in Switzerland, CHMissoni's monochrome striped dress has been crafted in Italy using the label's signature crochet-knit technique. The amazing shape makes it perfect for slipping on over a bikini or ...Category
2010s Italian Casual Dresses
$349 Sale Price70% Off - GUCCI by Tom Ford Crinkled Black Leather Dress Gown 38 S/S 2000By Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in Switzerland, CHBeautiful black GUCCI leather dress From GUCCI by TOM FORD SS 2000 MIllennium collection Made in Italy Simply slips on Softest,...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- NEW Chanel Black Crochet Knit Dress including Slip Dress 38By ChanelLocated in Switzerland, CHLovely new interpretation of the timeless Chanel classic little black dress A true Chanel signature piece that will last for many years So versatile - dress it up with a slip dress for a formal yet seductive look and pair it with high heels or throw it over a swimsuit for a great casual look Wonderful crochet knit Closes with Chanel "CC" logo button on back Simply slips on Made in France Dry Clean Only Size 38 New & unworn Complete with slip dress, Chanel tags...Category
2010s French Informal Dresses
$1,499 Sale Price25% Off - CHRISTIAN DIOR Black 3D Crochet Knit Ribbed Dress with Ruches Dior Logo Plate 40By Christian DiorLocated in Switzerland, CHAn extremely luxurious and versatile CHRISTIAN DIOR classic signature piece that will last you for years Gorgeous, almost couture-like piece hand-...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
$979 Sale Price45% Off