Pierre Balmain Aqua Cocktail Dress with Lace circa 1960s
View Similar Items
Pierre Balmain Aqua Cocktail Dress with Lace circa 1960s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 44 in (111.76 cm)Bust: 32 in (81.28 cm)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU58332392953
Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer's postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.
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, Balmain's founder 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 that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.
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 dresses 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 the brand’s t-shirts, 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 1960s or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, Balmain feels right now.
Find vintage Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Jacques Fath Embellished Halter Dress with Jacket circa 1980sBy Jacques FathLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a mint colored halter dress by Jacques Fath c. 1980s. It features a bodice embellished with a combination of beads, sequins, and paillettes. The tea length skirt is constru...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Versace Pleated Silk Chiffon Dress with Purple Netting Detail circa 1980sBy VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a pleated mint colored chiffon dress by Versace Atelier c. 1980s. It features a purple silk woven net that covers the bodice and also gives the dress its straps. A partial ...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$2,160 Sale Price40% Off - Rare Alexander McQueen "Hunger" SPRING 1996 RTW Runway DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis dress is 1 of 2 ever made. It was Look 22 worn by Stella Tennant in the Spring 1996 Ready to Wear "Hunger" runway show and gifted to its owner by Alexander McQueen. There is no ...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- James Galanos Beaded Halter Gown (Circa 80s/90s)By James GalanosLocated in Los Angeles, CAJames Galanos Halterneck Gown Vintage Circa late 1980's or early 1990's White and Navy Blue Geometric diamond pattern Column style gown Halter style neckline Bust and straps ha...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Olivier Theyskens for Rochas Wedding Gown with Long JacketBy Rochas, Olivier TheyskensLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a modern wedding dress by Olivier Theyskens for Rochas. It comes with a long cap sleeve jacket and features a sculptural flower in the cente...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Dresses
- Balenciaga 1967 Haute Couture Black Chantilly Lace Pantalettes DressBy BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CABalenciaga 1967 Haute Couture Black Chantilly Lace Pantalettes Dress Vintage; 1967 haute couture by Balenciaga Eisa label Black/Pink Strapless necklin...Category
1960s European Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off - Sass & Bide Silk Crepe 3 Way Maxi Harness Bustier Dress AU 8 US 2Located in PUTNEY, NSWDress Crepe Embellished Contrasting trims SilkCategory
Early 2000s Australian Cocktail Dresses
$214 Sale Price24% Off - Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 2006 Chocolate brown backless halter bamboo cocktail dressBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Milano, IT- Designed by Tom Ford - Sold by Skof.Archive - Bamboo clasp detail - Open back brown cocktail dress - Fitted to the body - Spring Summer 2006 ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$528 Sale Price79% OffFree Shipping - Roberto Cavalli animal print dress, Resort 2014By Roberto CavalliLocated in Milano, IT- Runway Look 3 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Animal print lycra dress - Above knee-length - Crew-neck - Fit regalar to the body - Resort 2014 Size: FR 38 - ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$572 Sale Price20% Off - Versus by Gianni Versace Early 1990s White cotton dress and crop jacket setBy Gianni Versace, VersusLocated in Milano, IT- Early 1990s - Sold by Skof.Archive - Designed by Gianni Versace - Versus by Gianni Versace - White cotton with red profile jacket and dress set - Medusa zipper front detail on the...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$990 Sale Price25% Off - 2000s Diane Freis Monochrome Abstract Print Strapless Evening DressBy Diane FreisLocated in Hong Kong, HKThe Diane Freis Monochrome Abstract Print Dress in Black Silk is a chic and sophisticated piece that showcases a captivating abstract print. Crafte...Category
Early 2000s Chinese Evening Dresses