Balenciaga Blue Arena Giant Flap Envelope Clutch
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 7.09 in (18 cm)Width: 12.21 in (31 cm)Depth: 0.6 in (1.5 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Amman, JO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3336220742432
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Amman, Jordan
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Balenciaga Orange Arena Giant Flap Envelope ClutchBy BalenciagaLocated in Amman, JOBalenciaga Orange Arena Giant Flap Envelope Clutch, Features large silver studs, corner buckle detailing, front zip pocket, two interior compartments and one zipper pocket. Material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clutches
- Burberry Medium Maroon Buckle ToteBy BurberryLocated in Amman, JOBurberry Medium Maroon Buckle Tote, Features Large Gold Buckle, Magnetic Closure, Removable Strap and Three Interior Pockets. Material: Leather Hardware: Gold Height: 29cm Width: 29...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Tote Bags
- Tory Burch Robinson Convertible Shoulder BagLocated in Amman, JOTory Burch Robinson Convertible Shoulder Bag, Features a magnetic flap closure, adjustable leather-and-chain strap, and one exterior slip pocket; one interior patch pocket, one zippe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Shoulder Bags
- Karl Lagerfeld K/Pura Leather CardholderBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in Amman, JOKarl Lagerfeld K/Pura Leather Cardholder, features a nine card slots. Material: Leather Height: 8cm Width: 10cm Overall condition: Fair Interior condition: Signs of use External con...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wallets and Small Accessories
- Love Moschino Logo Belt BagBy Love MoschinoLocated in Amman, JOLove Moschino Logo Belt Bag, Features logo strap, zip closure, fabric lining, outside zip pocket, interior slip pocket and an adjustable strap for wear at waist. Material: Leather H...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Belt Bags
- Moschino Quilted Small Teddy Bear Bucket BagBy MoschinoLocated in Amman, JOMoschino Quilted Small Teddy Bear Bucket Bag, Features single top handle, satin lining, interior pockets; one with zip closure and one slip pocket. Material: Leather Hardware: Gold ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- Judith Leiber Jeweled Clutch, Black And Clear Crrystals With Silver Strap.By Judith LeiberLocated in Buchanan, MIJudith Leiber Jeweled Clutch, Black And Clear Crrystals With Silver Strap.Category
20th Century Clutches
- Animal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber, Great Condition.Located in Buchanan, MIAnimal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber Great Condition, No Crystals missing. Silver Strap Inclosed.Category
20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
- CHANEL Authentic RARE CC Logo VINTAGE 1980s Black Satin Handbag Purse ITALYBy ChanelLocated in Asheville, NCCHANEL, Half Moon Crescent Mini Evening Bag Purse, Authentic Vintage Mid 1980's, Six Digit Serial Number (160338) placed inside pocket lining, Quilted Satin Fabric Exterior with Leat...Category
1980s Clutches
- Chanel 1990's NEW brown crocodile envelope clutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLGorgeous 24k large gold plated cc turn-lock closure Original tags from 1990's Barneys are still attached Collectors Item RARE interior brown lambskin lining that shows about 3 faint...Category
1990s Italian Clutches
- Chanel vintage black satin cc logo letter evening clutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLVery RARE classy and sophisticated while still maintaining an edgy feel CC metal frame magnetic closure interior is lined with CC monogram microfiber interior has interior pocket C...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Chanel Minaudiere gold Moscow lion head clutch Swarovski crystals evening bagLocated in Miami, FLLimited edition Moscow gold Lion head clutch Year: 2008 handmade incrusted crystals on the lion’s head, gold plated metal and gold leather. silk lining. kisslock closure collecto...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches