Balenciaga Vintage Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Thousand Oaks, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU126636766961
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: Thousand Oaks, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Cult Gaia Mint Green DressLocated in Thousand Oaks, CACult Gaia mint green sleeveless dress. Mock neck. Asymmetrical draped hem. Concealed back zip and back neck tie. Size M 100% viscose. New with tags.Category
2010s Maxi Dresses
- Marni Printed Blue and White Seashell Dress Size 40By MarniLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAMarni silver and navy printed pleated seashell dress. V-neck. Hidden back zipper. Front side pockets. New with tags. 58% silk, 42% cotton. Size 40.Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Alaia Baby Blue Ensemble Dress and Crop Jacket Size 38By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CACollector's Item!! - Alaia Paris sleeveless dress and matching cropped jacket in baby light blue. This is such a flattering and elegant silhouette. Depen...Category
1990s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Sacai Camel Colored Sleeveless Drop Waist Day Dress SS 23By SacaiLocated in Thousand Oaks, CABrand New Sacai dress. Camel / Nude in color, sleeveless with a drop waist and flaring at the bottom. This is a super flattering style and cut. Perfect for...Category
2010s Japanese Day Dresses
- Ralph Lauren Suede Tan Wrap Dress Size 6By Ralph LaurenLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAClassic - this Ralph Lauren wrap dress is timeless. Tan in coloring - reference to different photos for lighting in the exposed sun to indoor...Category
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
- Loro Piana Red Cashmere and Tweed Shift Dress NWT Size 40By Loro PianaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CALoro Piana Red And White Tweed Shift Dress Silk Lined. Straight Silhouette Tags Still on. Retail $2595 Pockets Depending on your height - Just above the knee Model is 5'3 Size 40Category
2010s Shift Dresses
- Lela Rose Ivory Cotton Blend Sleeveless Patchwork Dress - 8By Lela RoseLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLela Rose Ivory Cotton Blend Sleeveless Patchwork Dress - 8. This fitted dress is in excellent condition and has a unique look. The patchwork is comprised of squares and the piece ha...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Day Dresses
- Emilio Pucci Aqua Silk Chiffon Long Sleeve Dress with Sheer Cutouts - 10By Emilio PucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLEmilio Pucci Aqua Silk Chiffon Long Sleeve Dress with Sheer Cutouts - 10. This dress is in very good condition with some pulling throughout, consistent with such a fragile piece. The...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Missoni Vintage Earthtones Chevron Knitted Tunic-Style Dress - S - Circa 70'sBy MissoniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMissoni Vintage Earthtones Chevron Knitted Tunic-Style Dress - S - Circa 70's. This adorable dress is in excellent vintage condition with only very slight pulls near the bottom. It ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Tomasz Starzewski Ivory Soutache Lace Strapless Dress w/ Jacket-12-90'sBy Tomasz StarzewskiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLTomasz Starzewski Ivory Soutache Lace Strapless Dress w/ Jacket-12-90's This perfect vintage summer piece is made of a beautiful soutache lace, the dres...Category
1990s English Day Dresses
- Hungarian Embroidered Batiste DressLocated in New York, NYCharming Hungarian Embroidered Cotton Batiste Dress with smocked detailing from the 1920's. Unusual cut with flutter sleeves (instead of gathered...Category
1920s Hungarian Day Dresses
- 1950s Blue and White Gingham DressLocated in London, GBLate 1950s - early 1960s blue and white gingham cotton dress. It has a rounded neckline with an embroidered front yoke, complete with tiny white lace flower detail, each with a small diamante at its centre. The front of the dress is cut in a V panel, which creates the suggestion of an even smaller waist. The mid section is finished with a narrow gingham fabric...Category
1950s American Informal Dresses