Balenciaga Vintage Ad Print - 1940's
View Similar Items
Balenciaga Vintage Ad Print - 1940's
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Length: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Boca Raton, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3461251082
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.
- Hermés Rare 1950s Velvet Riding Helmet & SpursBy HermèsLocated in Scottsdale, AZSay hello to this amazing Hermés riding helmet and spurs! Circa 1950s, this extremely rare riding helmet is crafted from soft black velvet and fea...Category
1950s French Other
- Hermes Bain Neobain Les Leopard Blue Marine Embossed Large ModelBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an "Hermes Bain" Neobain Les Leopard case featured in the large model. In chic deep Blue Marine with Leopards embossed n front. Top zipper with leather zipper toggl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Other
- Hermes Jimetou Jumping Case Navy / Red Small ModelBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Jimetou Jumping Toiletry case featured in Navy and Red canvas. Blue and Black central band takes inspiration from horse jump...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Other
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold & White Diamond CaseBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Scottsdale, AZRare and beautiful 1950s -60s Van Cleef & Arpels 18K 750 Gold case. Features a woven basket pattern with White Diamonds encrusted clasp. Total weight 136 grams Interior features a...Category
1950s Miscellaneous
$9,000 Sale Price25% Off - Fendi Gold/Blue Mink Fur-Trimmed U Initial Bag CharmBy FendiLocated in New York, NYFendi Gold/Blue Mink Fur-Trimmed U Initial Charm Made In: Italy Color: Gold/blue Materials: Metal and mink fur Hallmarks: "Made In Italy" "Fendi" on keyring Closure/Opening: Clas...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Miscellaneous
$145 Sale Price21% Off - Chanel Rugby Football BallBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rugby Football Ball 2007 {VINTAGE 15 Years} Very good conditionCategory
1990s Italian Miscellaneous