1950s Balenciaga Haute Couture Black Velvet Jewel Toque Hat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Boca Raton, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73014371302
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Boca Raton, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Donna Karan Black Lace Ivory Floral-Accent Majorette HatBy Donna KaranLocated in Boca Raton, FLDonna Karan is no stranger to using an interesting hat to set a look apart. Known for her polished, career-wear aesthetic, Donna Karan has revolutionized accessible women’s fashion since the 1980s. Karan’s collections tend to adhere to a standard of neutral colors (most commonly black, and white), and tend to highlight silhouettes structured with soft lines. This Donna Karan features all of these classic elements. Made from a black, coated lace, this majorette inspired hat offers a light, translucent way to top off an edgy/elegant look. A loosely pleated black silk hatband grounds the design with a boyish charm. Sticking to the achromatic color palette, a detachable ivory silk flower brooch...Category
1990s American Hats
- Lanvin Alber Elbaz Black Sun Hat Navy Ribbon Band, 2006By Lanvin ParisLocated in Boca Raton, FLAfter serving as creative director for several other prominent fashion houses such as Guy Laroche, Alber Elbaz led the House of Lanvin from 2001-2015, a decade and a half in which ma...Category
Early 2000s French Hats
- Givenchy Amethyst Purple Velvet Bumper Hat, 1970sBy GivenchyLocated in Boca Raton, FLVintage Givenchy Boutique Purple Silk Velvet hat. The hat is structured with a rolled brim and an elastic chin strap. Fully lined and fitted with a gr...Category
1970s French Hats
- 1960s Midnight Paillette Sequin Wool Hat and Sleeveless Sweater SetLocated in Boca Raton, FLThis vintage wool sweater shimmers and steals through the dark of nightlife. Made with a 100% navy wool knit base, both sweater and hat feature co...Category
1960s Hong Kong Sweaters
- Givenchy Amethyst Purple Velvet Bumper Hat, 1970sBy GivenchyLocated in Boca Raton, FLVintage Givenchy Boutique Purple Silk Velvet hat. The hat is structured with a rolled brim and an elastic chin strap. Fully lined and fitted with a gr...Category
1970s French Hats
- Chanel F/W 2009 Runway Black & White Mohair Bow HatBy ChanelLocated in Boca Raton, FLWhen Gabrielle Chanel opened her first boutique on the Rue Cambon in Paris in 1910, it was hats she debuted to her early clientele. Famous actresses of the day took note and began making her a name years before she unveiled the sportswear, perfume, and haute couture that would firmly establish the House of Chanel. Fine millinery remains a hallmark of the French megabrand nearly a century later, as exemplified in this remarkable hat by creative director Karl Lagerfeld. Inspired in part by British Regency-era men’s fashion, the Chanel 2009 Fall collection was feminine and poised, featuring frills, plisse ruffs, and georgette blouses. As seen as look #19 on that season’s runway, this charming black and white polka dot hat...Category
Early 2000s French Hats
- Fendi FF Zucca Monogram Small Hat FF-1118P-0006By FendiLocated in Downey, CAFendi FF Zucca Monogram Small Hat FF-1118P-0006 Here is a classic Fendi zucca monogram beanie a true rare item. this classic piece has been sold out f...Category
2010s Italian Hats
- Blue Fox & Leather Hat LafuriaLocated in Wallkill, NYWe have some amazing hats up this week! Here is a blue fox & Leather hat. Again seems to have never been worn. Leather at the top. Soft supple. This is a 22in...Category
2010s Hats
- CHANEL black raffia 2018 CAMELLIA Visor Hat MBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel 2018 adjustable visor in black raffia. Embellished with a black camellia and a white faux pearl on the front. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Meas...Category
2010s Unknown Hats
- BURBERRY black & white cotton MONOGRAM LOGO Baseball Cap Hat SBy BurberryLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Burberry baseball cap in off-white and black cotton canvas featuring a black and white appliquéd iteration of the reworked TB logo – a tribute to founder Thomas Burberry...Category
2010s Unknown Hats
- MAISON MICHEL black wool felt KIKI Hat LBy Maison MichelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Maison Michel Kiki hat in black wool felt (100%) with dark brown and ivory grosgrain ribbon. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Measurements Tag Size L Insi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Hats
- Joseph Magnin Black Fox Fur Felt Pill Box Hat, 1960sBy Joseph Magnin Co.Located in San Francisco, CAJoseph Magnin 1960s black fur felt hat with a fox fur band around sides. Approximately 4" tall. Circumference at inner band approximately 20 1/2". Excellent condition, will look e...Category
1960s Hats