Balmain haute couture ivory dress, circa 1960
View Similar Items
Balmain haute couture ivory dress, circa 1960
About the Item
Balmain
From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Pierre Balmain was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure Balmain learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career. Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, Balmain’s post-war take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following. Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since Pierre Balmain’s death in 1982, the design reins have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Instagram sensation Olivier Rousteing.
Today’s Balmain has more in common with the master’s original haute couture than you might expect: sharply tailored blazers that nip in at the waist, delicate stilettos and ultra-feminine evening wear are wardrobe basics for the 21st-century woman, too. Lovers of couture history will also prize the fluid, easy sketches from the master’s own hand they’ll find on offer here, while fashionistas clamor for military-style jackets and skinny jeans. Whether you’re a colonel in Rousteing’s “glamour army” or you fancy yourself a “Jolie Madame,” a Balmain piece — from the sixties or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, vintage Balmain feels right now.
- 1960S Off White Silk Blend Radzimir Crystal Beaded Jackie O Style Mod Empire WaLocated in New York, NY1960S Off White Silk Blend Radzimir Crystal Beaded Jackie O Style Mod Empire Waist GownCategory
1960s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Geoffrey Beene for Bergdorf Goodman Size 10 Ivory Off White Wool DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in San Diego, CAI had this chic vintage GEOFFREY BEENE for Bergdorf Goodman dress once, and it sold right away ! There are so many details that went into designing this dress. Intricately placed ple...Category
Late 20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- 1920s Printed Moiré Rose DressLocated in San Francisco, CALate 1920s floral printed rayon moirè in a dusty rose color. The print has shades of soft sage green, orange, pale red, and a splash of yellow. The bodice is fitted and the hip has a...Category
1920s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Hussein Chalayan Vintage One Shoulder DressBy Hussein ChalayanLocated in Laguna Beach, CATextured one-shoulder cocktail dress from Hussein Chalayan. This dress has a draped body made of a shiny blue polyamide and silk blend. It features a pleated metallic...Category
Early 2000s British Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage sheer ivory white lace wedding style midi night gown slip robe dressLocated in Paris, FRA very pretty vintage ivory dress with lace bust and sheer mesh straps Cinched in waist Attached straps that cross over the body Lace trim hem Belt...Category
Late 20th Century Evening Dresses
- 1960s Jack Bryan Ivory and White Crochet Lace Beaded Vintage Maxi Dress / GownBy Jack BryanLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous vintage 60s JACKY BRYAN ivory and white full length dress. Features a hand crochet lace bodice, which is adorned with hundreds of dangling white beads on the front and back....Category
1960s American Maxi Dresses