Balenciaga Dress
View Similar Items
Balenciaga Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 36 (EU)
- Style:Bodycon (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toulon, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU63333352033
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.
- A Nicole Groult / Paul Poiret Evening Dress in Velvet and Rhinestones Circa 1935By Paul PoiretLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1935 France Rare long collector's evening dress, French Haute Couture by Nicole Groult, famous sister of Paul Poiret and dating from the 1935s. Sl...Category
1930s French Evening Dresses
- A Christian Lacroix Couture Silk and Lace Cocktail dress Circa 1995/2000By Christian LacroixLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1995/2000 France Beautiful cocktail dress for an event in silk and lace by Christian Lacroix dating from the late 1990s. Fitted dress with a bottom in white wild silk covered...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses
- A Pierre Cardin Black Couture Jersey Evening Dress Circa 1976/1978By Pierre Cardin Couture, Pierre CardinLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1976/1978 France Beautiful evening dress Pierre Cardin Haute Couture in black silk jersey dating from the late 1970s. Crew neck dress in stretchy black silk jersey, with long bat sleeves...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses
- Little black dress inspired by Chanel in crepe and satin Circa 1965Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1965 France Elegant little black dress without label in the style of Chanel and dating from the 1960s. Short dress with buttoning in front and a slightly curved straight cut,...Category
1960s French Mini Dresses
- A Space Age Pierre Cardin Dress in chocolate jersey Circa 1970/1975By Pierre CardinLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1970/1975 France Astonishing dress from the futuristic or Space Age period by Pierre Cardin dating from the early 1970s. Sleeveless pinafore dress in thick chocolate jersey. Large pointed neckline underlined by a large cream bead in the shape of a lunar medallion with oval recall on the bottom of the dress slit on the sides. Brown nylon lining with zipper in the back and very nice hand-stitched finish. Black and white woven label indicating Pierre Cardin Boutique...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- A French Little Black Dress and Bolero By Nina Ricci Circa 1955By Nina RicciLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1955 France Little black dress and its bolero by Nina Ricci and signed Paris 55. Black stretch silk ottoman with parallel ribs allowing a tight fit and especially an interest...Category
1950s French Evening Dresses
- 1960s Mamselle by Betty Carol Black and White Houndstooth Wool 60s A Line DressBy Betty CarolLocated in San Diego, CAChic MAMSELLE by BETTY CAROL black and white wool mini houndstooth print A-Line wool dress ! Features a pretty scooped v-neck with black embroidery. Empire style waist with embroider...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 “Golden Shower” Plunge Neck Micro Mini Tuxedo DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 “Golden Shower” Plunge Neck Micro Mini Tuxedo Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1998 “Golden Show...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
- New VERSACE CUTOUT BLACK LEATHER DRESS 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE This black leather dress features Keith Haring-inspired cutouts and a rose-gold lamé underlay that adds a sweet flourish to the sharp silhouette. Black leather Cutou...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2008 Floral Lace Knit Fit & Flare Ruffle Layer Skirt DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2008 Floral Lace Knit Fit & Flare Ruffle Layer Skirt Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 2008 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Fit ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Jill Richards Black + Nude Silk Chiffon French Lace Vintage 80s DressBy Jill RichardsLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful Avant Garde 1980s JILL RICHARDS black and nude French lace and silk chiffon long sleeve cocktail dress ! Features a nude underlay on the bodice, with black French lace over...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Calvin Klein Collection Black Rayon Jersey Draped Neck Vintage 90s GownBy Calvin Klein CollectionLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful and classic vintage ( early 90s ) CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION black rayon matte jersey long sleeve draped neck gown / maxi dress ! This is such a classic, yet fashionable gem t...Category
1990s American Evening Gowns