Limited Edition Balenciaga ' Matrix ' XL Black Weekender Crossbody Unisex Bag
View Similar Items
Limited Edition Balenciaga ' Matrix ' XL Black Weekender Crossbody Unisex Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU662716322
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.
- 1990s Raquel Sitwell Black Suede Leather Tortoise Shell Vintage 90s Shoulder BagBy Raquel SitwellLocated in San Diego, CAChic and classic RAQUEL SITWELL black suede and faux tortoise shell structured shoulder bag! Medium to Large size fits all the necessities. Long shoulder strap is the perfect length ...Category
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Vintage Luc Benoit Navy Blue Leather Small Embossed Crossbody Hand Bag PurseBy Luc BenoitLocated in San Diego, CAChic LUC BENOIT navy blue leather embossed leather small cross body bag / handbag! Features a gold metal chain intertwined with matching navy blue...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- 1970s Walborg Black Crochet Knit Beaded Vintage 70s Shoulder Bag Handbag PurseBy Walborg, Walborg ItalyLocated in San Diego, CAFantastic vintage WALBORG black crochet knit beaded shoulder bag! Features a multi-strand shoulder strap that fits comfortably on the shoulder. Uniquel...Category
1970s Italian Hobo Bags
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Waxed Canvas Leather Crossbody YSL Shoulder BagBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CAPerfect vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT cross body bag, or shoulder bag! This handbag features multi colored waxed canvas, with a red leather ...Category
Late 20th Century French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
$641 Sale Price25% Off - 1970s Gucci Black Suede Tiger Clasp Large Vintage 70s Handbag Purse Shoudler BagBy GucciLocated in San Diego, CARare 70s GUCCI black suede leather tiger clasp shoulder bag ! Features black suede with gold hardware. Adjustable strap to make longer or shorter. Painted ...Category
1970s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Berge ' Made in Italy ' White Crescent Shoulder Handbag Bag w/ Colorful BucklesLocated in San Diego, CAFun Vintage Berge handbag! White leather, with a crescent shape that fits comfortably on the shoulder. Features colorful buckles along the sides, with a...Category
1990s Italian Hobo Bags
- Chanel 22 Mini Shiny Calfskin BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA lovely Chanel 22 Mini Bag. The exterior is crafted in quilted black shiny calfskin leather with gold-tone hardware. It features a gold tone logo in the front, a dangling CC logo me...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
- Chanel Brand New Black Quilted Hard Case Compact Vanity Crossbody BagBy ChanelLocated in Pasadena, CAChanel Brand New Black Quilted Hard Case Compact Vanity Crossbody Bag *Marked 3208XXXX *Made in France *Comes with the original box, pouch, contr...Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Classic 1990s Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEThe Chanel Classic Double Flap Bag is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and a symbol of the timeless luxury of the Chanel brand. This bag, made from first-class calfskin in a deep ...Category
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black Tweed Large 19 FlapBy ChanelLocated in Miami Beach, FLChanel Black Tweed Large This is an authentic Chanel large 19. Black tweed exterior with large quilting and front flap. Woven leather chain CC turn clasp. Large spacious pocket in ...Category
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Dior Indigo Small Lady Dior with Charm Strap Silver HardwareBy Christian DiorLocated in Miami Beach, FLDior Indigo Small Lady Dior with Charm Strap SHW Bag This is an Authentic Dior Lady Dior in size Small. Indigo/ Purple Cannage-quilted lambskin exterior. Two top handles with remova...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black Limited Edition Medium Classic Flap Silver HardwareBy ChanelLocated in Miami Beach, FLChanel Black Limited Edition Medium Classic Flap SHW Bag This is an authentic Chanel Medium Classic Flap. The bag has a flap closure with a Double C logo turn lock. Limited edition ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags