Balenciaga Haute Couture Skirt Suit Ensemble Documented 1957
View Similar Items
Balenciaga Haute Couture Skirt Suit Ensemble Documented 1957
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S/M (US)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Phoenix, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU72974532
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.
- Valentino Boutique Vintage Black Boucle Skirt Suit With 2 Blazers Solid & PlaidBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Valentino Boutique Collectible skirt suit ensemble comes with 2 different blazer options. This includes a vintage Valentino black boucle wool skirt and both a black bouc...Category
1970s Italian Skirt Suits
- 3pc Jaeger Burgundy Velvet Jacket w/ Printed Wool Blouse Top With & Skirt SuitBy JaegerLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautifully made Jaeger 3 piece outfit in rich Autumnal/Winter hues. We love the deep red velvet jacket and the gorgeous print of the blouse ...Category
1980s British Skirt Suits
- 1980s Vintage Lillie Rubin Polka Dot Sequin Shorts & Zip Sweatshirt Suit Set MedBy Lillie RubinLocated in Portland, ORThis is a show stopping vintage 1980's Lillie Rubin short set that includes a pair of elastic waist shorts and a sweatshirt style zip front jacket. The base color of both pieces is black and the jacket has sequin polka dots in bold shades of yellow, green, red, and purple. The set is fully lined in black silk. The zip front sweatshirt style jacket has long raglan oversized sleeves, pockets, a mandarin style short collar and a metal zipper down the center front seam for closure. The cuffs and collar are in a rayon lined stretch fabric. The rayon lined shorts have pockets, front pleats and a back elastic waistband. There is a wide hook and eye closure in the center front opening with a metal zipper. Wear this outfit as a fun evening dress alternative with the right shoes or boots! We have two sets of this amazing vintage Lillie Rubin silk sequin short sets available on 1stdibs! They came from an estate and were worn as matching ensembles...Category
1980s Indian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
$348 Sale Price49% Off - Escada Margaretha Ley Vintage Trouser & Jacket Pant Suit Textured Blue CottonBy EscadaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a wonderful Escada vintage blue pantsuit with raised embroidered abstract lines across the jacket and pants. The pants are high waisted and butt...Category
1980s German Trouser Pant Suits
$278 Sale Price60% Off - Emanuel Ungaro Vintage Black Plaid & Houndstooth Check Wool Skirt & Jacket SuitBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Portland, ORThis wonderful 1990's skirt suit was designed by Emanuel Ungaro and offers two great separates that can be worn with so many other pieces! This Ungaro Parallele outfit includes a jac...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Vintage Valentino Boutique Black Velvet Skirt Suit With Satin Trim Size 6By ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful Valentino Boutique black velvet skirt suit with a pencil skirt and belted smoking jacket. The pretty jacket ties at the waist and has hidden buttons up the front., ribbed satin on the high collar and trim on the cuffs, and decorative breast pockets. It has two functional side slit pockets at the hip below the tied waist. The skirt zips at the waist to a hook closure. It has a fixed waist and a long slit up the side. The jacket is marked as a 6, and the skirt an 8. They would fit a modern US size 6. This is a great opportunity to own two fabulous separate pieces or to own a wonderful designer suit...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits