Balenciaga red houndstooth skirt suit, circa 1960
View Similar Items
Balenciaga red houndstooth skirt suit, circa 1960
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 1009211stDibs: LU7241582643
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, sneakers, 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.
- 1994 Vivienne Westwood 3-piece Leopard skirt, vest and jacket suitBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHStunning leopard 3 piece set is notable piece from Vivienne Westwood's 1994 fw collection. The print made its debut in October 1993 during the Fall/Winter 1994 "Café Society' collection, representing one of the designer's most iconic moments. On that memorable occasion, the jacket adorned the graceful model, Helena Christensen. "Café Society" reimagines European history's impact on women's fashion, posing the question: How does a woman appear when freed from restrictions? Vivienne Westwood, a challenger of fashion authority, draws inspiration from Charles Frederick Worth, the 19th-century founder of haute couture. By incorporating elements like ivory tassels, Westwood transforms the traditional Victorian bustle...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Vintage 1970’s Callaghan by Gianni Versace mohair/wool winter trouser suitBy CALLAGHANLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AU1970’s super chic Callaghan (designed by Gianni Versace) mohair winter pant suit with flared trousers and unique knit top with flared sleeves & ribbing trim. Great camel colour that...Category
1970s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- 1960s Malcolm Starr Floral Chiffon SetLocated in Scottsdale, AZBreathtaking Malcolm Starr blouse and maxi skirt set circa 1960s! Stunning matching formal set in the most whimsical pastel floral print chiffon. The skirt starts fitted at the waist...Category
1960s Skirt Suits
- Vivienne Westwood mens tan ruffled pant suit, ss 1997By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood men's tan polyester pant suit with playing card symbols print. Wide leg pants with elastic waistband and ruffled shirt. Spring...Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Alexander McQueen quilted nude leather jumpsuit fw 2004By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBQuilted nude leather jumpsuit by Alexander McQueen, from his F/W 2004 collection "Pantheon Ad Lucem"Category
Early 2000s British Jumpsuits
- Gianni Versace multicoloured silk pant suit, ss 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace multicoloured silk pant suit. Spring-Summer 1992Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles