Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière mixed media wooden block heels, A/W 2010
View Similar Items
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière mixed media wooden block heels, A/W 2010
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: EU 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14024190473
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.
- Dolce & Gabbana tan and brown leather platform sandals, sz 39By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana tan and brown leather platform sandals ca. 1990-1999Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Azzedine Alaia nude suede boots, A/W 1989By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBAzzedine Alaia by Diego Della Valle Autumn-Winter 1989Category
1980s Italian Shoes
- Hussein Chalayan Autumn-Winter 2002 black leather bondage shoes with metal heelBy Hussein ChalayanLocated in London, GBHussein Chalayan Autumn-Winter 2002 black leather shoes with metal heelCategory
Early 2000s British Shoes
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld black knee high boots with cut outs, fw 2007By ChanelLocated in London, GBChanel by Karl Lagerfeld black knee high boots with cut outs and cream toe cap. Fall-Winter 2007 Size 41Category
Early 2000s French Boots
- Vivienne Westwood black leather platform buckle boots, ss 1992By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black leather platform buckle boots. UK 4 Salon, Spring-Summer 1992Category
1990s British Boots
- Gianni Versace snakeskin and Persian lamb platform sandals, fw 1999By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace platform sandals ▪ White snakeskin heel, platform and ankle straps ▪ Grey Persian lamb strap ▪ Size European 37 ▪ Fall-Winte...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Jimmy Choo, Patent leather cork wedgeBy Jimmy ChooLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLJimmy Choo, Patent leather cork wedge. The item is in very good condition. • CONDITION: very good condition • SIZE: 39 • INSOLE MEASUREMENTS: 25.5 cm • HEEL MEASUREMENTS: 10 cm ...Category
2010s Shoes
- Dolce & Gabbana Beige Leather Pointed Toe Pumps Size 38By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Dolce & Gabbana has designed this excellent pair of pumps that will complement almost every outfit you own. These pumps are made from leather and come in a lovely shade of beige. The...Category
2010s Italian Heels
- Gucci Pink Leather Peep Toe Platform Pumps Size 37.5By GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2These stylish pumps come from the iconic house of Gucci. They are crafted from quality leather and come in a lovely shade of pink. They are styled with peep toes, platforms, 12 cm he...Category
2010s Italian Heels
$254 Sale Price27% Off - Gucci Ivory Leather Hysteria Embossed Slide Sandals Size 40By GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Flaunt these fabulous sandals from Gucci and get set to step out in style. These leather sandals feature open toes and a slide design. They bring leather insoles featuring the brand ...Category
2010s Italian Sandals
- Christian Louboutin Beige Leather Yolanda Spikes Peep Toe Pumps Size 36.5By Christian LouboutinLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Make the streets your fashion runway and dazzle the crowds in these gorgeous Yolanda pumps from Christain Louboutin! The beige pumps have been crafted from leather and styled with pe...Category
2010s Italian High Heels
$393 Sale Price22% Off - Burberry Beige CrissCross Canvas Spike Studded Open Toe Sandals Size 37By BurberryLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Crafted to deliver style and glamour, these open-toe sandals from Burberry are one of a kind. They are made of the brand's signature Nova check canvas and come in a lovely shade of b...Category
2010s Italian Sandals
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.
Vivienne Westwood’s Punk Spirit Lives On in This ’90s Tartan Ensemble
The shorts suit in a mash-up of patterns with an asymmetrical cut speaks to the designer’s rebellious spirit.