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83 results for "cristobal balenciaga"

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1958 EISA by CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA haute couture black boucle wool skirt suit
1958 EISA by CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA haute couture black boucle wool skirt suit

1958 EISA by CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA haute couture black boucle wool skirt suit

By Balenciaga, Eisa

Located in San Fransisco, CA

Very rare, jet-black boucle wool haute couture suit designed by Cristobal Balenciaga for his Eisa boutique dating to fall of 1958. Suit best fits a size 0-4 . Approximate measurement...

Category

1950s Spanish Jackets

A gold brocade dress in the style of Cristobal Balenciaga - United States C.1968
A gold brocade dress in the style of Cristobal Balenciaga - United States C.1968

A gold brocade dress in the style of Cristobal Balenciaga - United States C.1968

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1968-1970. United States In the style of Cristobal Balenciaga, an American peplum dress with a peacock tail train, american labelled By Peer, size 8 and dating from the 1960s. ...

Category

1960s American Evening Dresses

Balenciaga Eisa Double Breasted Coat, Collection of Actress Susan Hayward
Balenciaga Eisa Double Breasted Coat, Collection of Actress Susan Hayward

Balenciaga Eisa Double Breasted Coat, Collection of Actress Susan Hayward

By Balenciaga, Eisa

Located in New York, NY

Eisa Balenciaga Haute Couture coat. Double breasted black textured wool twill designed by Cristobal Balenciaga for Eisa dating to the early 1960's. The semi fitted cut coat with buttons of black bakelite resin is fully lined in black silk. Inset pockets at front hips. Raglan cut sleeves. Deep pleats below hips at back hem. Purchased at Christies, New York. Estate of American actress Susan Hayward...

Category

1960s French Coats and Outerwear

Balenciaga Haute Couture Printed Silk Dress with Provenance
Balenciaga Haute Couture Printed Silk Dress with Provenance

Balenciaga Haute Couture Printed Silk Dress with Provenance

By Balenciaga

Located in New Hope, PA

Cristobal Balenciaga designed this printed silk dress for Mona von Bismarck, the five times married New York socialite, philanthropist and member of the International Best Dressed Li...

Category

1960s French Cocktail Dresses

BALENCIAGA Museum Re-edition From 1960s Black Strapless Gown With Long Train
BALENCIAGA Museum Re-edition From 1960s Black Strapless Gown With Long Train

BALENCIAGA Museum Re-edition From 1960s Black Strapless Gown With Long Train

By Balenciaga

Located in 上海市, Xuhui district

About Balenciaga Edition: The "Balenciaga Edition" refers to a special line of garments and accessories that Balenciaga introduced in 2012. This line reinterprets iconic designs fro...

Category

2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns

1950s Balenciaga Haute Couture Black Velvet Jewel Toque Hat
1950s Balenciaga Haute Couture Black Velvet Jewel Toque Hat

1950s Balenciaga Haute Couture Black Velvet Jewel Toque Hat

By Balenciaga

Located in Boca Raton, FL

Born in Spain in 1895, Cristóbal Balenciaga is renowned as one of the masters of haute couture. Drawing from strikingly decorative Spanish cultural influence, Balenciaga’s designs up until the mid- to late-twentieth century incorporated highly detailed beadwork, and hours or intricate embroidery. While mimicking the evolution of his design aesthetic, the millenary works created by the House of Balenciaga were not in fact conceptions of the designer himself, but designed by expert milliners Wladzio d'Attainville, and Ramón Esparza. Nonetheless, the hats produced compliment the couturier’s lavish aesthetic. This 1950s toque hat...

Category

1950s French Hats

BALENCIAGA Museum Re-edition From 1960s Strapless Gown With Long Train
BALENCIAGA Museum Re-edition From 1960s Strapless Gown With Long Train

BALENCIAGA Museum Re-edition From 1960s Strapless Gown With Long Train

By Balenciaga

Located in 上海市, Xuhui district

About Balenciaga Edition: The "Balenciaga Edition" refers to a special line of garments and accessories that Balenciaga introduced in 2012. This line reinterprets iconic designs fro...

Category

2010s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns

1960's EISA BALENCIAGA haute couture vibrant pink silk dress
1960's EISA BALENCIAGA haute couture vibrant pink silk dress

1960's EISA BALENCIAGA haute couture vibrant pink silk dress

By Balenciaga, Eisa

Located in San Fransisco, CA

Stunning silk dress designed by Cristobal Balenciaga for Spanish atelier EISA. This dress is a beautiful example of mid-century minimalist design. Made in a vibrant pink, the dress ...

Category

1960s Spanish Mini Dress

Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960
Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960

Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960

By Paul Daunay

Located in London, GB

Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble comprising: long-line waistcoat lined with purple silk and high rise a-line skirt with inverted pleats and two side pockets. Paul Daunay designs were hand made to a Haute Couture standard in Geneva, Switzerland and have been exhibited alongside Haute Couture garments by Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga for the 'Fifties Fashion' exhibition at the Palais Galliera...

Category

1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Emanuel Ungaro Vintage Chiffon Blouse with Leopard Print & Metallic Zebra Size 6
Emanuel Ungaro Vintage Chiffon Blouse with Leopard Print & Metallic Zebra Size 6

Emanuel Ungaro Vintage Chiffon Blouse with Leopard Print & Metallic Zebra Size 6

By Emanuel Ungaro

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A beautiful cap sleeve blouse design by Emmanuel Ungaro. This sleeveless blouse slightly covers the shoulder to create a cap sleeve. The neck is a convertible turtle neck which drapes beautifully or can be folded in half to make a mock turtle. Made in Italy, the designer label and size have been removed. Authenticated Ungaro and made by Gruppo GFT...

Category

1990s Italian Blouses and Tops

1999 Balenciaga - Cristobal Original Vintage Poster
1999 Balenciaga - Cristobal Original Vintage Poster

1999 Balenciaga - Cristobal Original Vintage Poster

Located in Winchester, GB

Extra-large poster promoting the Balenciaga fragrance, Cristobal - the namesake of the founder. This stunning and rare poster features model and actress Isabella Rossellini and was r...

Category

1990s Posters

Materials

Paper

Oscar de la Renta Italy Brown Zip Jacket w/ Metal & Jewel Embellishments Size 8
Oscar de la Renta Italy Brown Zip Jacket w/ Metal & Jewel Embellishments Size 8

Oscar de la Renta Italy Brown Zip Jacket w/ Metal & Jewel Embellishments Size 8

By Oscar De La Renta

Located in Palm Desert, CA

One of the most beautiful and luxe pieces by designer Oscar de la Renta that we have ever had. From the Fall 2006 Collection, NYC. Purchased at Neiman Marcus (double label) this is a...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Jackets

Yves Saint Laurent Gilt Thistle Long Earrings
Yves Saint Laurent Gilt Thistle Long Earrings

Yves Saint Laurent Gilt Thistle Long Earrings

By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent

Located in New York, NY

Yves Saint Laurent long gilt byzantine, thistle motif incised earclips by Robert Goossens. Length 3", Width 2". Excellent condition. Robert Goossens, the son of a metal foundry wo...

Category

Vintage 1980s French Byzantine Dangle Earrings

Materials

Bronze, Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal

Balenciaga by  Nicolas Ghesquière Black Wool Sculpted Bustier Dress, FW 2001
Balenciaga by  Nicolas Ghesquière Black Wool Sculpted Bustier Dress, FW 2001

Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière Black Wool Sculpted Bustier Dress, FW 2001

By Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière

Located in London, GB

This strapless black wool twill dress from Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, look 18 from the Fall-Winter 2001 collection, reinterprets the structure of a classic double-breasted bla...

Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Orange Coat Side. Published in LIFE in 1954, a model poses for buyers from I Magnin in the Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. THE 24” x 36” SI...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Golden yellow gazar ball gown by Christian Dior - Paris Ligne Libre 1957
Golden yellow gazar ball gown by Christian Dior - Paris Ligne Libre 1957

Golden yellow gazar ball gown by Christian Dior - Paris Ligne Libre 1957

By Christian Dior

Located in Toulon, FR

Spring-Summer 1957 Collection. Paris, France Ball gown in organza by Christian Dior Haute Couture, entitled ‘Ligne Libre’ from the Spring-Summer 1957 collection. Long dress in gazar,...

Category

1950s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses

White Stain Quilted Top-Handle Evening Bag With Chain circa 1960s
White Stain Quilted Top-Handle Evening Bag With Chain circa 1960s

White Stain Quilted Top-Handle Evening Bag With Chain circa 1960s

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

This elegant White Stain Quilted Top-Handle Evening Bag with Chain from circa 1960s exudes timeless sophistication and vintage charm. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the...

Category

Mid-20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières

1970s Courreges Cream Wool Sleeveless Dress
1970s Courreges Cream Wool Sleeveless Dress

1970s Courreges Cream Wool Sleeveless Dress

By Courrèges

Located in London, GB

André Courrèges’s namesake brand is having a moment. In 1961, after ten years honing his craft under Cristóbal Balenciaga, Courrèges launched his own fashion house. Today, the House ...

Category

1970s French Wedding Dresses

Balenciaga Ruffled Printed Black Silk Crepe De Chine Midi Dress Resort 2019
Balenciaga Ruffled Printed Black Silk Crepe De Chine Midi Dress Resort 2019

Balenciaga Ruffled Printed Black Silk Crepe De Chine Midi Dress Resort 2019

By Balenciaga

Located in Boca Raton, FL

Hailed as “the master of us all” by Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga was known for his masterful skill with fabric and graceful garments which radically influenced the silhouette...

Category

2010s French Day Dresses

Madame Grès: Couture Paris
Madame Grès: Couture Paris

Madame Grès: Couture Paris

Located in New York, NY

Madame Grès Couture Paris Text by Olivier Saillard, Contributions by Anne Graire The definitive monograph on iconic Parisian designer Madame Grès, seen b...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Books

Materials

Paper

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Orange Coat Side. Published in LIFE in 1954, a model poses for buyers from I Magnin in the Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. THE 24” x 36” SIZE OF ...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Green Skirt -- Shot in 1953 and published in the September 6, 1954 issue of LIFE at the Couture Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. The source f...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Green Skirt -- Shot in 1953 and published in the September 6, 1954 issue of LIFE at the Couture Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. The source f...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Green Skirt -- Shot in 1953 and published in the September 6, 1954 issue of LIFE at the Couture Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. The source f...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Adolfo New York Vintage Glamour Dark Ranch Mink Coat by Size 10-12
Adolfo New York Vintage Glamour Dark Ranch Mink Coat by Size 10-12

Adolfo New York Vintage Glamour Dark Ranch Mink Coat by Size 10-12

By Adolfo

Located in Palm Desert, CA

This mink has been lovingly cared for since purchased new in NYC. Designed by legendary NY designer Adolfo, it is the highest of quality dark brown mink. It looks black in some lights. Has been stored properly in Air Conditioned mink storage. Size tag removed, but could really be worn by sizes 6- 12. Have tried it on and it loooks amazing oversized on a size 6 and very chic on a size 12 woman...

Category

1980s American Coats

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Green Skirt -- Shot in 1953 and published in the September 6, 1954 issue of LIFE at the Couture Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. The source f...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Dolce & Gabbana Hand-Embroidered White Raw Silk Evening Couture Coat, ss 1997
Dolce & Gabbana Hand-Embroidered White Raw Silk Evening Couture Coat, ss 1997

Dolce & Gabbana Hand-Embroidered White Raw Silk Evening Couture Coat, ss 1997

By Dolce & Gabbana

Located in London, GB

▪ Archival Dolce & Gabbana Evening Coat ▪ Creative Director: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana ▪ Spring-Summer 1997 ▪ Crafted from high-quality white raw silk, this garment boasts ...

Category

1990s Italian Coats and Outerwear

Wool Coat Dress by Julien MacDonald for Givenchy Couture - Fall Winter 2003
Wool Coat Dress by Julien MacDonald for Givenchy Couture - Fall Winter 2003

Wool Coat Dress by Julien MacDonald for Givenchy Couture - Fall Winter 2003

By Julien Macdonald, Givenchy

Located in Toulon, FR

Fall Winter 2003 Collection France A black wool coat dress (look 14) by Julien MacDonald for Givenchy in 2003. Inspired by 18th century coats, the bottom is made of double black faille fabric covered with a wool felt with large black embroidered perforations. Tubular three-quarter sleeves, wide theatrical folded collar and coat crossing closed in front by hooks. Two side slits allow a felt belt to be passed through to curve the coat in front while freeing the volume at the back ending in a train, in the manner of the French Dresses! Black taffeta lining. No defects. Very good condition of color and conservation.  Dimensions: Equivalent size France 36-38. Front height 163 cm, back height with train 206 cm, shoulders 40 cm, chest 90 cm, waist 76-80 cm, sleeves 46 cm, hips 86-90 cm. Givenchy is part of one of the most famous French fashion house. Hubert de Givenchy, who worked with Elsa Schiaparelli, founded it in 1952. An admirer of Cristobal Balenciaga, he set up shop next to his master friend on Avenue Georges V in Paris in 1969. Hubert de Givenchy represented French chic throughout the world. Several institutions will celebrate his creations including The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in 1982 and the Palais Gallièra in Paris in 1991. He retired in 1995 to be replaced by young British designers including John Galliano...

Category

Early 2000s French Coats and Outerwear

1960s French Couture Quadruple Chain Oriental Style Necklace
1960s French Couture Quadruple Chain Oriental Style Necklace

1960s French Couture Quadruple Chain Oriental Style Necklace

Located in London, GB

This striking pendant necklace, circa 1960s, has all the hallmarks of a Robert Goossens piece. The renowned jewellery designer was one of the most famous in all France and produced h...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Chain Necklaces

3 Ceramics Torque Necklace by Yves Saint Laurent
3 Ceramics Torque Necklace by Yves Saint Laurent

3 Ceramics Torque Necklace by Yves Saint Laurent

By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent

Located in Paris, FR

YVES SAINT LAURENT Haute Couture by ROBERT GOOSSENS Stiff torque necklace in hammered gilt metal decorated with polychrome ceramic cabochons - unsigned I Interior width 9 cm 12x14cm...

Category

Vintage 1980s French Artist Choker Necklaces

Materials

22k Gold, Brass, Gilt Metal

Lanvin Castello Haute Couture Coral Silk Brocade Coat & Dress Ensemble 1950s
Lanvin Castello Haute Couture Coral Silk Brocade Coat & Dress Ensemble 1950s

Lanvin Castello Haute Couture Coral Silk Brocade Coat & Dress Ensemble 1950s

By Antonio del Castillo, Lanvin Paris

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Lanvin-Castello Haute Couture dress & coat ensemble in bright coral silk brocade from the 1950s. Lanvin is the oldest French fashion house founded by Jeanne Lanvin in Paris in 1889 u...

Category

1950s French Dress and Coat Ensembles

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Orange Coat Side. Published in LIFE in 1954, a model poses for buyers from I Magnin in the Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. THE 24” x 36” SIZE OF ...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Orange Coat Side. Published in LIFE in 1954, a model poses for buyers from I Magnin in the Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. THE 24” x 36” SI...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

Balenciaga, Orange Coat Side, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Orange Coat Side. Published in LIFE in 1954, a model poses for buyers from I Magnin in the Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. THE 24” x 36” SIZE OF ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Paul Daunay Couture green floral silk cocktail dress, circa 1952-57
Paul Daunay Couture green floral silk cocktail dress, circa 1952-57

Paul Daunay Couture green floral silk cocktail dress, circa 1952-57

By Paul Daunay

Located in London, GB

Presenting an exquisite and exceptionally rare Paul Daunay cocktail dress, a true treasure dating back to circa 1952-57. Crafted with finesse, this dress boasts a fine silk fabric ad...

Category

1950s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

Balenciaga, Green Skirt, 1953

By Mark Shaw

Located in New York, NY

Balenciaga Green Skirt -- Shot in 1953 and published in the September 6, 1954 issue of LIFE at the Couture Salon of Cristobal Balenciaga. The source f...

Category

1950s Modern Color Photography

Materials

Giclée

Harper's Bazaar First in Fashion
Harper's Bazaar First in Fashion

Harper's Bazaar First in Fashion

By Rizzoli International Publications

Located in New York, NY

Written by Marianne Le Galliard and Éric Pujalet-Plaà, Foreword by Olivier Gabet and Glenda Bailey A fascinating look at one of the most groundbreaking publications in the world, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Books

Materials

Paper

Pierre Balmain Couture Ballgown  1955 Iconic Gown Dress
Pierre Balmain Couture Ballgown  1955 Iconic Gown Dress

Pierre Balmain Couture Ballgown 1955 Iconic Gown Dress

By Pierre Balmain

Located in Berlin, BE

'La Robe Broderie À Ramages' PIERRE BALMAIN PARIS Made In France, ca.1955 Majestic evening gown in silk and cream satin with the most astonishing embroiderery by PIERRE BALMAIN Haut...

Category

1950s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Spanish Artist Rare Silk FloralDotPrint DrapedNeckTie Sybilla Dress, SS1994
Spanish Artist Rare Silk FloralDotPrint DrapedNeckTie Sybilla Dress, SS1994

Spanish Artist Rare Silk FloralDotPrint DrapedNeckTie Sybilla Dress, SS1994

By Sybilla

Located in Chicago, IL

Featuring a biomorphic image created by Spain-based renowned multimedia artist Sybilla, this rare billowy bias-cut semi-transparent layered silk crepe sleeveless V-neck midi dress fo...

Category

1990s Spanish Aesthetic Day Dresses

A Black silk faille evening coat by Pedro Rodriguez - Spain Circa 1955-1960
A Black silk faille evening coat by Pedro Rodriguez - Spain Circa 1955-1960

A Black silk faille evening coat by Pedro Rodriguez - Spain Circa 1955-1960

By Pedro Rodriguez

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1955-1960 Spain Black silk faille evening coat by Pedro Rodriguez, a famous Spanish couturier, dating from the late 1950s. A full, flared coat with a remarkable cut at the back...

Category

1950s Spanish Coats

Poster Gianni Versace Metropolitan Museum of Art Photo by Irving Penn, 1997
Poster Gianni Versace Metropolitan Museum of Art Photo by Irving Penn, 1997

Poster Gianni Versace Metropolitan Museum of Art Photo by Irving Penn, 1997

By Irving Penn , Gianni Versace

Located in Milano, IT

GIANNI Versace. Beautiful and rare Poster of the Metropolitan Museum of Art December 1997-March 1998 of the exhibition on Gianni Versace. The poster depicts a photograph by Irving Penn. Penn's photograph depicts the famous 1987 theatre costume in black quilted satin and white satin with black and white applications. from the TEATRO collection. Approximate size 89 x 63.5 cm. pay. Thank you for your cooperation! The poster is an interesting black and white look on one of Versace's most extravagant evening dresses. This item would be the perfect addition to any Gianni Versace or MMA collection. Versace's catwalk collections...

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Posters

Materials

Paper

1980s Emanuel Ungaro Black Silk Accordion Pleat Maxi Skirt
1980s Emanuel Ungaro Black Silk Accordion Pleat Maxi Skirt

1980s Emanuel Ungaro Black Silk Accordion Pleat Maxi Skirt

By Emanuel Ungaro

Located in London, GB

The House of Emanuel Ungaro was founded in 1965 following the designer's stint at the Ateliers of both Cristobal Balenciaga and Andres Courreges and reached peak popularity in the 19...

Category

1980s French Pleated Skirts

1950s French Couture Floral Silk Dress with Purple Bow
1950s French Couture Floral Silk Dress with Purple Bow

1950s French Couture Floral Silk Dress with Purple Bow

Located in London, GB

This exceptional 1950s to early 1960s dress was couture crafted from boldly printed, floral silk in France. Strongly reminiscent of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s work during this era, the t...

Category

1950s French Evening Dresses

1970s Courreges Royal Blue Cotton Maxi Skirt and Cropped Jacket
1970s Courreges Royal Blue Cotton Maxi Skirt and Cropped Jacket

1970s Courreges Royal Blue Cotton Maxi Skirt and Cropped Jacket

By André Courrèges, Courrèges

Located in London, GB

André Courrèges’s namesake brand is having a moment. In 1961, after ten years honing his craft under Cristóbal Balenciaga, Courrèges launched his own fashion house. Today, the House ...

Category

1970s French Skirt Suits

1988 Ungaro Documented Silk Gold and Black Floral Dress
1988 Ungaro Documented Silk Gold and Black Floral Dress

1988 Ungaro Documented Silk Gold and Black Floral Dress

By Emanuel Ungaro

Located in London, GB

Emanuel Ungaro founded his Parisian couture house in 1965 after a brief stint working for both Cristobal Balenciaga and Andre Courreges. He was known for his lively prints and excel...

Category

1980s French Cocktail Dresses

1980s Ungaro Parallele Floral Wrap Mini-Dress
1980s Ungaro Parallele Floral Wrap Mini-Dress

1980s Ungaro Parallele Floral Wrap Mini-Dress

By Emanuel Ungaro

Located in London, GB

The House of Emanuel Ungaro was founded in 1965 after the designer's brief stint working for both Cristobal Balenciaga and Andre Courreges. Ungaro was known for his lively prints and...

Category

1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses

Paul Daunay Couture silk and wool dress and coat ensemble, c. 1952-57
Paul Daunay Couture silk and wool dress and coat ensemble, c. 1952-57

Paul Daunay Couture silk and wool dress and coat ensemble, c. 1952-57

By Paul Daunay

Located in London, GB

Presenting an exquisite and exceptionally rare Paul Daunay couture fall daytime ensemble, a true gem hailing from the era of circa 1952-57. This ensemble is a stunning showcase of ar...

Category

1950s French Day Dresses

Oscar de la Renta Spectacularly Hand Beaded Pearl and Silver Brown Dress Size 4
Oscar de la Renta Spectacularly Hand Beaded Pearl and Silver Brown Dress Size 4

Oscar de la Renta Spectacularly Hand Beaded Pearl and Silver Brown Dress Size 4

By Oscar De La Renta

Located in Palm Desert, CA

Classic Oscar de la Renta. 2009 collection considered one of his best! His embellished and hand beaded embellishments have become synonymous with the Oscar’s de la Renta collections....

Category

Early 2000s American Aesthetic Day Dresses

1990s Ungaro Paralelle Purple Velvet Floral Dress
1990s Ungaro Paralelle Purple Velvet Floral Dress

1990s Ungaro Paralelle Purple Velvet Floral Dress

By Emanuel Ungaro

Located in London, GB

The House of Emanuel Ungaro was founded in 1965 after the designer's brief stint working for both Cristobal Balenciaga and Andre Courreges. Ungaro was known for his lively prints and...

Category

1990s French Cocktail Dresses

Couture Robert Goosens Hammered Brass RockCrystal Gres SpiralDrop Choker, c1970
Couture Robert Goosens Hammered Brass RockCrystal Gres SpiralDrop Choker, c1970

Couture Robert Goosens Hammered Brass RockCrystal Gres SpiralDrop Choker, c1970

By Robert Goossens

Located in Chicago, IL

Robert Goosens, the French Chanel-favorite haute-couture parurier who enjoyed reinterpreting ancient and antique styles of jewelry with rock crystal and faux stones, also collaborated with Madame Alix Gres as one of our photos documents. Relevant to this statement necklace, the Parisian theatrical-costume designer, who founded the French fashion-house Maison Gres, commissioned Goosens to make spiral-wire adornments for her couture gowns. This handmade hammered brass wire choker necklace with five dropped entremblant pendants is decorated with unique colorful beads and wrapped wire. The piece dates between 1969-1971 based on similar unsigned spiraled-wire metal jewelry without goldsmithing marks in the museum collection of TheMet, which acquired the necklace that we photographed from Maison Givenchy founder Hubert de Givenchy, who was one of most supportive fans of Gres. Like the legendary sculptural clothing designs of Madame Gres, this necklace was inspired by Greco-Roman costumes, while its sculpted shapes by Goosens reference her signature curvilinear fabric techniques that earned her the sobriquet of "the master of the wrapped and draped dress". Goosens (1927-2016), nicknamed Monsieur Bijou, also made jewelry inspired by other periods of antiquity to compliment the couture clothing of Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. After Goosens collaborated with Gres, he revisited golden spiral designs with Saint Laurent. Similar to the free-flowing fabric manipulated in Gres gowns, this hand-shaped necklace that we photographed in sunlight is a study in motion that drapes across a curvy cleavage. Adding drama to this necklace below its wire choker, the top teetering-wire pendant is a twisted and hammered horizontal double spiral, which is a Hellenistic symbol of life and transformation suggesting the breasts of a goddess of fertility and motherhood. Yet distinctly Goosens, 18 hand-cut and hand-dyed "ancient-Roman-blue" rock-crystal beads are wire-strung to weight a second tier of two separate vertical double-spiral pendants. On each, a wrapped-wire tube divides the blue beads. Between these vertical pendants in two tiers, the central vertical pendants each feature a one-of-a-kind multicolor bead (yellow/blue/red/black/white) in two lengths with abstract organic patterns recalling ancient Italian glasswork. Four more blue beads bracket these larger colorful beads. An additional 10 blue beads and 5 wire tubes decorate the bottom looped wire pendant, as well as the bottom of the wire choker. Like the hammered-wire jewelry designs of modern artist Alexander Calder, the creative complex construction of this necklace surprisingly required no metalsmith techniques, such as soldering or casting, just great skill with a jewelry pliers and hammer. For a bigger picture of couture clothing by Madame Gres during the decade beginning in 1969, she notably designed many museum-collected one-color silk-taffeta draped long gowns with empire waists and simple high collars or geometric cut-outs. Remarkably, the focal points for some of these unique dresses were at the wrists, from where long pouf sleeves voluminously droop around the hands to nearly the floor like two enormous long-petaled flowers. If paired with this equally downward-focused and balanced necklace from this same period, its bold Greco-Roman elements would have pulled a viewer's gaze of the dress from floor to face. Although there is no significant provenance for this necklace, hammered brass and tinted rock crystal were among the few materials repeatedly associated with Goosens from 1969-71. For example, in his overlapping interior-decor collections based on themes of waterlilies or foliage, Goosens hammered gilt brass wire and sheets (see our final closeup photo) to represent plant parts or he wired rock-crystal beads to appear as tiny fruits. While the two multicolor glass or resin beads in this necklace are atypical, the combination of blue, yellow and red is a palette that the designer used for other pieces of rock-crystal jewelry and he created many kinds of multicolor faux stones with glass or resin paste, such as faux Tibetan turquoise including black and white. According to journalism based on interviews with Goosens, he often acquired unusual stones and glass for inspiration during his extensive travels exploring museum-collected antiquities. Since Maison Goosens was acquired in 2005 by Maison Chanel, it opened the Parisian showroom Galerie Goosens and associated shops to sell many kinds of reproductions and reimagined works by the founder, which fortunately does not suit the completely handmade elements of this necklace. So this couture piece remains one-of-a-kind. If desiring a vintage haute-couture original by Robert Goosens, we recommend perusing the Maison Goosens website so that a reproduction with a contemporary signature is not mistakenly purchased. Madame Gres (1903-1993) was born Germaine Emelie Krebs, but initially identified her fashion designs with the pseudonym Alix and later Alix Barton...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Greek Revival Drop Necklaces

Materials

Rock Crystal, Crystal, Brass