Balenciaga Couture Wool Knit Cape, c.1970s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Style:1970s (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1691210285252
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Nina Ricci Grey Wool Knit Cocoon Coat, c.1970sBy Nina RicciLocated in New York, NYNina Ricci Grey Wool Knit Cocoon Coat, c.1970s 1970s Nina Ricci Grey Cocoon Coat featuring boat neckline collar and tapered Raglan sleeves. Three wooden button closure at center fron...Category
1970s French Cocoon Coats
- Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Simone Rocha "Cindy Rella" Transparent Oxfords Shoes EU 39By Simone RochaLocated in New York, NYSimone Rocha "Cindy Rella" Transparent Shoes EU 39Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Vintage Manolo Blahnik Orientalia Lizard Embossed Mules Late 1990's size 40 1/2By Manolo BlahnikLocated in New York, NYLate 1990's Manolo Blahnik Orientalia Pale Lavender Lizard Embossed Mules; Embellished with Faux Baroque Pearls, Seed Beads and Crystals. Minimal Wear. Size 40 1/2. US 10.5Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Low Heels
- Rare F. Pinet, France Black and White Leather Platform Fetish Shoes MuseumLocated in New York, NYFrancois Pinet, France black and white leather Platform fetish shoes, 1930s, with towering black and white patent striped elevated platforms and 23cm, 9...Category
1930s French High Heels
- c. 1967 Pierre Cardin Documented Dress MuseumBy Pierre CardinLocated in New York, NYc. 1967 Pierre Cardin Futuristic Dress Mini dress of navy wool jersey knit. The tubular mini dress has a rounded neckline and short sleeves. Red, sh...Category
1960s French Shift Dresses
- James Perse Gray Vintage Full Zip Hoodie ShirtLocated in Downey, CAJames Perse Gray Vintage Full Zip Hoodie Shirt Simple cuts made with quality materials, James Perse is a must for any minimalist. A easy throw on for any o...Category
2010s American Hooded Jackets
- Eric Bompard Pale Grey Cashmere Single Breasted CoatLocated in West Palm Beach, FLEric Bompard pale grey cashmere single breasted coat. Classic man tailored coat with great details. Notched lapel collar, top stitching on facings, besom ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Dolman Sleeve Coats
- Vintage 1960s Dynasty Ivory Silk Evening Coat w Beaded ButtonsBy DynastyLocated in Portland, ORThis is a long vintage Dynasty late 1960's or early 1970's creamy ivory silk evening coat. We love coats like these because they can be worn so effortl...Category
1960s Asian Coats
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent White Cotton Coat Dress or Duster Style CoatBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage early 1980's Yves Saint Laurent white cotton duster style coat or coat dress is another YSL take on the utilitarian smock style dresses and tops he designed in the 1970'...Category
1980s Coats and Outerwear
- Fendi Coat, Size 42FRBy FendiLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRFendi - (Made in Italy) Coat in sheepskin wool and bottom of the sleeves in mink. Size indicated 42FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Shoulder width: 44 cm, Chest: 48 cm, Slee...Category
2010s Italian Coats
- Jean-Louis Scherrer Long Coat in Black and Beige Wool, Size 40FRBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRJean-Louis Scherrer (Made in Italy) Long coat in black and beige wool, with a black and white fur collar, accompanied by a belt. No composition or size tag, it fits a size 40FR. Add...Category
1990s Italian Coats