Vintage 1950s Pierre Balmain Couture Navy Lace Illusion Strapless Dress & Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Style:1950s (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3095056471
Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer's postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.
From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Balmain's founder was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.
Today’s Balmain has more in common with the master’s original haute couture than you might expect: sharply tailored blazers that nip in at the waist, delicate stilettos and ultra-feminine evening dresses are wardrobe basics for the 21st-century woman, too. Lovers of couture history will also prize the fluid, easy sketches from the master’s own hand they’ll find on offer here, while fashionistas clamor for the brand’s t-shirts, military-style jackets and skinny jeans.
Whether you’re a colonel in Rousteing’s “glamour army” or you fancy yourself a “Jolie Madame,” a Balmain piece — from the 1960s or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, Balmain feels right now.
Find vintage Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vintage 1970s Stavropoulos Couture Purple Applique Silk One-Shoulder Fitted GownBy George StavropoulosLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous heavily sculpted Stavropoulos Couture purple silk gown dating back to the mid 1970's. George Stavropoulos was a New York fashion designer best known for his innovatively draped dresses and evening gowns that seemed to float in air. Many of his designs were influenced by the grace of classic Greek sculpture...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Sapphire Blue Satin Asymmetric Pleated One-Shoulder Evening GownBy Victoria RoyalLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIn this gorgeous early 1960's Victoria Royal designer evening gown, the detailed construction and meticulous attention to detail are comparable ...Category
1960s American Ball Gowns
- Vintage 1950's Marjon Couture Mauve Purple Silk Reverse-Halter Pleated GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA gorgeous mid-century formal gown by the Marjon Couture London fashion house. The fabric used is of the highest quality; shimmering light-weight mauve ...Category
1950s English Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- 1990 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Documented Runway Silk Strapless Dress w/ ShawlBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in Beverly Hills, CAChanel is known to be one of the most luxurious and decadent fashion houses in the world. This gorgeous sapphire-blue and black cocktail dress ensemble, dating back to Fall/Winter 1990, is a perfect example of why this couture brand has stood the test of time. Not only is this little number very alluring; it is so versatile and timeless. The bodice has the most beautiful shelf-bust strapless design. I love the sculpted bow-tie! This figure flattering garment accentuates the bust, skims the hip and flows in such an elegant way. The matching shawl takes the concept of a cocktail dress to new levels! Our iconic ensemble captures the essence of style: elegant, comfortable and practical. As Coco Chanel used...Category
1990s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1970s Givenchy Colorful Stripe Silk-Chiffon Billow Sleeve Bohemian DressBy Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique, GivenchyLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGivenchy, the name itself evokes glamour, refined elegance, simplicity and style. Givenchy’s trademark of flowing lines and print fabrics make his work easily recognizable. This gorg...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Malcolm Starr Beaded Ivory Silk-Chiffon Empire Bridal Dress GownBy Elinor Simmons for Malcolm Starr, Malcolm StarrLocated in Beverly Hills, CAWith the sparkling embellishment and ethereal ivory creme color, this dazzling 1960's Malcolm Starr evening gown does not disappoint. The substantial weight of the draped silk chiffon fabric whispers high-end luxury. The bodice is an elegant shelf-bust empire plunge with sparkling adornment. Metallic gold embroidery and beadwork cover the whole bust; giving the garment so much depth and texture. This figure flattering designer gown...Category
1960s American Wedding Dresses
- F/W 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Purple Satin Yellow Lace Rhinestone Slip DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning yellow and purple satin Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1996 collection, this gorgeous dress debuted as part of l...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Purple Lavender Lightweight Cotton Voile Vintage 70s Wrap DressLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing 1970s purple and lavender lightweight cotton voile short sleeve wrap dress ! Features a vibrant regal purple with lavender ruffle details. Elastic waistband. Both colors on e...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Holly's Harp China Stencil Buttons Hand Painted Cold Shoulder Silk DressBy Holly HarpLocated in San Diego, CARare 70s HOLLY'S HARP purple hand painted boho cold shoulder dress ! Features a beautiful medium shade of purple. Hand painted tress, leaves and rainbows throughout. Vibrant colors o...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s UNGARO cobalt blue silk brocade mermaid gownBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Beverly Hills, CABeautiful Ungaro mermaid gown in black and cobalt silk lamé. Inspired by the finest 1950's French tradition, it has a fully boned corset and layers of bias cut ruffles to the floor....Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1960s Baron Peters Navy Blue + White Checkered Rayon Crepe Vintage 60s DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic mid 60s BARON PETERS for Dorothy Stead of Georgetown long sleeve navy blue and white rayon crepe dress! Dorothy Stead was a high end boutique in Geor...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Amythest Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated amythest colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. Named after a Greek cla...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Two-Piece Beaded Gown by Puerto Rican Designer David Fernandez Is the Embodiment of 1970s Glam
On the Met Gala red carpet, this vintage ensemble would bring the heat.
Madonna Wore the Same Plunging Azzedine Alaïa Design on the Cover of ‘Cosmo’ in 1987
The gold silk stunner was part of a knockout collection that changed the trajectory of Alaïa's then-troubled brand.