1895-1972 Cristobal Balenciaga

[GBArt]

There's a great new book (September 1, 2007) on the life and work of Cristobal Balenciaga by author Leslie Ellis Miller.

It's called simply "Balenciaga", and it delves deeply into his Spanish heritage and influence.

I highly recommend it.

 

[Symetrie]

These are truly the most beautiful dresses that I have ever seen in my entire life. His creations are so inspiring and captivating.

 

[DosViolines]

Unlabeled Balenciaga Lace Gown & Stole, 1960s

whitakerauction

 

[DosViolines]

Cristóbal Balenciaga (Spain, 1895 - 1972)
Woman's Dinner Dress, 1939
Costume/clothing principle attire/entire body, Silk serge appliquéd on silk chiffon

lacma.org

 

[DosViolines]

Woman's Cocktail Dress and Coat, circa 1955
Costume/clothing principle attire/entire body; Costume/clothing principle attire/upper body, Silk satin damask

lacma.org

 

[DosViolines]

Woman's Three-piece Suit, circa 1958
Costume/clothing principle attire/entire body, Wool mohair bouclé, silk lining, .1) Jacket center back length: 19 in. (49.5 cm); .2) Skirt center back length: 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm); .3) Blouse center back length: 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm)

lacma.org

 

[DosViolines]

Born in Spain, Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) opened his couture house in Paris in 1937. One of fashion’s greatest innovators, he radically altered the fashionable silhouette with designs such as the sack dress.

Balenciaga’s work is characterized by a strong emphasis on three-dimensional form. Whereas even the man-on-the-street knew about Christian Dior and the New Look, Balenciaga appealed primarily to connoisseurs of fashion who understood his style of avant-garde classicism. This abstract evening gown, for example, is made in one of his favorite materials, silk gazar, which has the texture, stiffness, and weight that he desired.

Cristobal Balenciaga, evening gown with shrug, 1961, France, worn by donor Mrs. George Connor, photograph by Irving Solero

fitnyc

 

[Girlfriend1]

Posted by stilletogirl84

Scanned by me, From Vogue December 07

 

[Girlfriend1]

His designs are relevant because designers are inspired by them all the time.

 

[SomethingElse]

Primrose yellow silk ball gown, circa 1960, labelled, number is indistinct, the waistline gradually descends from front to back and is punctuated by a single bow.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Oyster taffeta evening coat, late 1950s-early 1960s, labelled Eisa, with curving wide neckline, no fastenings, the sleeve and front panels cut in one piece, the back and rear sleeves also cut in one piece, elbow length sleeves.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Petrol blue silk ball gown, circa 1958-60, labelled and numbered 93027, the scooped neckline and graduated, trained hem encrusted in a 5cm, 2in, wide band of tiered beading with moulded white lily of the valley and globular beads, crystal discs and cream silk buds, the skirt flowing from the waist, slightly raised at the front to reveal shoes.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Black lace and satin cocktail ensemble, early 1960s, labelled and numbered 91535, the satin sleeveless tunic overlaid in black lace completely smothered in long curling, pendant sequins and facetted jet-like beads highlighted with silver lurex threads which catch the light, zip fastener concealed below the lace, the satin hem showing below the tunic at the knee; with matching matador cape lined in black organza with two patch pockets.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Hot pink and fuchsia matelassé cocktail ensemble, circa 1960, labelled and numbered 33030, the sleeveless gown with jewel-neck-line, the matching coat with three-quarter sleeves and fold-over lapels.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Ivory brocatelle day dress and cape, circa 1965, both pieces labelled and numbered 100656, the simple sleeveless shift dress fastened by buttons down the front, invisible pockets inset into the front side seams; simple cape with single button to fasten.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[gius]

Wow! #234, 235
These must be the reference points for the Balenciaga S/S 08 collection
They also had a few dresses with matelassé
Incredible.. Very decadent fabrics !

Thank you SomethingElse

 

[SomethingElse]

Evening gown and cape, 1960s, Given by Ava Gardner

This evening ensemble shows Balenciaga's talent for cutting clothes in dramatic, sculpted shapes. These minimalist garments resemble the religious vestments of the Spanish Catholic Church. The only decoration is the artificial flowers at the hem of the dress and the collar of the cape. Gazar is a thick silk fabric with a stiff finish, specially created for Balenciaga by the textile firm Abraham of Switzerland.

From 1956, Balenciaga refused to show his clothes publicly at the same time as the other Parisian couturiers. This was because his designs were inevitably copied before he had finised making them up for his private clients. This dress and cape contain the 'Eisa' label, the Spanish branch of the House of Balenciaga, named after the designer's mother.

vam.ac.uk

 

[MissMagAddict]

Balenciaga S/S 1960

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nJUcccpa_jQ

 

[SomethingElse]

About 1958, sabre cut velvet.

imamuseum.org

 

[SomethingElse]

About 1958, sabre cut velvet, leather, metal.

imamuseum.org