Balenciaga Calfskin Leather Everyday Tote
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Scottsdale, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1862213447762
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: Scottsdale, AZ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Prada Grey Suede Twin Pocket ToteBy PradaLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Prada Twin Pocket Tote is finely crafted of a grey suede exterior with leather trimming and silver-tone hardware features. It has dual rolled top handles. It features twin zippe...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Saint Laurent Boucle Studded Raffia Shopping ToteBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Saint Laurent Boucle Studded Raffia Shopping Tote is finely crafted of a black suede, leather, and raffia fabric exterior with silver-tone hardware studs. It has dual flat shoul...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Siena PM BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis stylish tote is crafted of Louis Vuitton Damier check canvas in ebene brown. The bag has a prominent pleat at the mid-center with rolled leather top handles and an ebene leather...Category
2010s French Tote Bags
- Louis Vuitton Veau Cachemire Calfskin W ToteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis luxurious and elegant handbag is finely crafted in black hue and features the monogram pattern in velvet on the sides. The top is secured with hidden magnetic closures, and open...Category
2010s French Tote Bags
- Chanel Metallic Aged Calfskin Quilted Reissue Tote Light GoldBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis stunning shoulder bag is crafted of aged and semi-distressed diamond quilted calfskin leather in gold. The bag features ruthenium bijoux chain shoulder straps and a front facing...Category
Early 2000s French Tote Bags
- Gucci GG Canvas Medium Web ToteBy GucciLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Gucci GG Canvas Medium Web Tote was made in Italy and it is finely crafted of the classic Gucci GG Monogram canvas with leather trimming. I...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tote Bags
- Hermes Birkin 35 Rose Jaipur Pink Bag Clemence Leather Palladium HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Birkin 35 Rose Jaipur is a divine, and very rare to find, pink that is neutral and perfect for year round wear...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Birkin HSS 35 Rose Indien / Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile Bag PalladiumBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Birkin HSS 35 bag featured in exquisite unicorn rare Rose Indien and Fuschia Porosus Crocodile. Utterly extraordinary, th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Cc Beach Medium Pink Terry Cloth ToteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLThis Chanel CC Beach Tote Terry Cloth Medium, crafted in pink Terry cloth, features dual terry cloth handles, printed CC logo, and silver-tone hardware. It opens to a pink terry clot...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- HERMES pink leather BIRKIN 25 Bag Rose Azalee Swift PalladiumBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Hermès Birkin 25 bag in Rose Azalee (pink) Veau Swift leather with palladium-plated hardware. Lined in Chevre (goat skin) with an open pocket against the front and a z...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Gucci Gg Rajah Red and White Tweed Chain Large Tote Bag 537219Located in New York, NYThis stylish Gucci Rajah shoulder bag is finely crafted of woven red and white printed tweed with black leather trim. The bag features a prominent crystal-...Category
2010s Tote Bags
- Hermes Birkin 35 Ghillies Sanguine Limited Edition Bag Toile/Swift PalladiumBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a limited edition Hermes Birkin 35 Ghillies bag featured in Sanguine. Inspired by the men's Brogue shoe, the detailed trim ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags