Balenciaga Black Crocodile Embossed Leather Downtown Soft Hourglass XS 16BA118
View Similar Items
Balenciaga Black Crocodile Embossed Leather Downtown Soft Hourglass XS 16BA118
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Length: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Dix hills, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2409217548202
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.
- Tumi Ashton Alpha Briefcase Carry On 7MJ1016By TumiLocated in Dix hills, NYThis item will ship out immediately. Previously owned, unless otherwise stated. =Measurements: Length: 16.5" Width: 4" Height: 13" OVERALL EXCELLENT+ CONDITION ( 9.25/10 or A+) Thi...Category
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Louis Vuitton 1991 LV Cup Blue Monogram Sail Sac Cowes Messenger Bag 826lv89By Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: MI0991 Made In: France Measurements: Length: 13.5" Width: 6" Height: 11" Shoulder Handle Drop: 11"-19" OVERALL GOOD CONDITION ( 7/10 or B ) Includes Locked Lock...Category
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Pochette Marly Bandouliere Crossbody Bag 101lv21By Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: DU1002 Made In: France Measurements: Length: 8.75" Width: 1.5" Height: 5" Shoulder Handle Drop: 21.5"-25" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 7.5/10 or B+ ) ...Category
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Goyard Black Chevron Goyardine Diplomat Briefcase Attache Bag 857928By GoyardLocated in Dix hills, NYThis item will ship out immediately. Previously owned, unless otherwise stated. Made In: France Measurements: Length: 14" Width: 2.5" Height: 10.5" Handle drop: 5"- 6" OVERALL EXCEL...Category
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Louis Vuitton Black Damier Infini Leather Ambler Crossbody Bum Bag 99LV74By Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: FO4105 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 10.5" Width: 2.5" Height: 7" Shoulder Handle Drop: 11"-20" Handle Drop: 1.5" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( ...Category
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Geronimos Bum Bag Fanny Pack Waist Pouch 106lv0By Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: CA0034 Made In: Spain Measurements: Length: 4.5" Width: 1.75" Height: 7.5" Shoulder Handle Drop: 5"-18.5" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 8/10 or AB ) S...Category
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Vintage Beige Quilted Lambskin Camera Crossbody BagBy ChanelLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in handbag making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Chanel always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. The rare bag takes timeless creation to a new level of sophistication and charm. Made from the finest materials that you would expect from the Chanel House...Category
1990s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Vintage GUCCI Black Suede Leather GG Gold tone logo Hobo Bag Crossbody Purse BagBy GucciLocated in Malibu, CA🖤1970’s GUCCI Perfection🖤 RARE and coveted black GUCCI Suede Shoulder Bag. Black smooth leather with supple suede and oversized GG hardwa...Category
1970s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Vintage 70's GUCCI GG White Cream Beige Brown Wood Weekender Supreme Tote BagBy GucciLocated in Malibu, CA🖤Classic Gucci Weekender🖤 The perfect companion for your daily adventures! Easily fits a laptop, or a stash of clothes for a quick weekend getaway! ...Category
1970s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Dior Trotter Pink CrossbodyLocated in New York, NYLength: 8 Inches Height: 9 Inches Material: Coated CanvasCategory
1990s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermès Kelly Mini II Tricolore Verso Craie/Mauve Pale/Gold Veau Epsom PHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA gorgeous Hermès Kelly Mini II Tricolore Verso handbag. The exterior of this Kelly Mini features Craie, Mauve Pale and Gold Veau Epsom leather and is compl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Green Alligator Jumbo Classic Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA rare exquisite Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap handbag. The exterior of this Jumbo Classic is in a vivid green shiny alligator leather with gold tone hardwar...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Novelty Bags