1940s Balenciaga Haute Couture Beaded Evening Jacket
View Similar Items
1940s Balenciaga Haute Couture Beaded Evening Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 17 in (43.18 cm)Marked Size: M (US)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 29 in (73.66 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: DSBT5ON0379 DSBT_5ON03791stDibs: LU16122451693
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.
- Victorian Black Silk Belle Epoch Ribbon Lace Duster JacketLocated in New York, NYVictorian Black Silk Belle Epoch Ribbon Lace Duster JacketCategory
Early 1900s Blouses
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Red & Black Silk Wool Vest Made With Victorian Fabric, BeadwBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Red & Black Silk Wool Vest Made With Victorian Fabric, Beadwork &Trims MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Coats and Outerwear
- Victorian Black & White Silk Damask With Velvet And Handmade Lace Belle Epoch SLocated in New York, NYVictorian Black & White Silk Damask With Velvet And Handmade Lace Belle Epoch Swing Coat From ParisCategory
Early 1900s French Opera Coats
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Black Floral Silk Burnout Velvet Sheer Fringed KimonoLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Black Floral Silk Burnout Velvet Sheer Fringed Kimono MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from around...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Jackets
- 1970S I MAGNIN Brown & Blue Cotton South East Asian Batik Print Duster KaftanBy I Magnin and CoLocated in New York, NY1970S I MAGNIN Brown & Blue Cotton South East Asian Batik Print Duster KaftanCategory
1970s Coats and Outerwear
- 1930S Rayon Crepe Gold Sequined Short Sleeve Zipper Front Dinner JacketLocated in New York, NY1930S Rayon Crepe Gold Sequined Short Sleeve Zipper Front Dinner JacketCategory
1930s Bolero Jackets
- Geoffrey Beene Vintage Green Black Check Evening Dress With Purple Wool JacketBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Portland, ORThis is a lovely vintage Geoffrey Beene 2 piece dress and jacket evening ensemble from Geoffrey Beene. The outfit includes a green check and black knit long evening dress with a sli...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- S/S 1993 Gianni Versace Couture Black Floral Print Silk Medusa Blazer JacketBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful multicolored floral Gianni Versace blazer, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1993 collection, this gorgeous bla...Category
1990s Italian Blazers
- S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Couture Floral Print Black Silk Blazer JacketBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful multicolored floral Gianni Versace blazer, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1994 collection, this gorgeous bla...Category
1990s Italian Blazers
- Issey Miyake Beautifully Draped Deconstruct Black "Balloon Pockets" Jacket/DressBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NYExtremely Issey Miyake Beautifully "Work of Art" Draped Deconstruct Black "balloon pockets" optional jacket/dress has a single button in front. What makes this piece a work of art...Category
1990s Japanese Jackets
- Alexander McQueen black double-breasted blazer mini dress with cut-out, ss 1998By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen black blazer mini dress ▪ Double-breasted ▪ Nude nylon mesh cut-out panel ▪ Peak lapels ▪ 2 front flap pockets ▪ ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Martin Margiela tulle waistcoat made from a 1950s ballgown, ss 1991By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GB▪ Martin Margiela full length waist coat ▪ Made from a recycled 1950's ballgown with slit down the front ▪ 3 black ties at the front ▪ Metal zipper at side seam ▪ Pleated and ruf...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns