1914-1982 Pierre Balmain

[DosViolines]

Balmain Crinkled Silk Evening Gown & Jacket, c.1958

An elegant & fine Parisian designer winter ensemble, just in time for the upcomming fall/winter season! Designed by one of Paris' finest couturiérs - Pierre Balmain, renown for nearly every field in fashion. Both garments are fashioned from navy cloqué (crinkled) silk.

The elegant and simple, statuesque-style cut gown, features a slightly upturned waist, with a bateau rounded neckline, and flowing shoulder straps that create a somewhat deep, rounded open back. The fabric is delicately gathered to the waistline, and since it is slightly upturned, the fabric follows along this arch perfectly. Fully lined in navy tissue silk, and along the bust is a navy satin brassiere. The dress fastens to the back with a zipper.

It is accompanied with its original loose-cut evening jacket, which is fully lined in luxurious, heavy cream silk- hence it is a winter ensemble. The thick lining used in this jacket helps create and maintain its "swing-style" (rounded) shape. With bracelet length sleeves, and no fastenings as it is meant to be either wrapped over its opposite side, or worn open.

The jacket is labeled to the back of the neck "Pierre Balmain / Paris ."

heavenofgowns

 

[DosViolines]

Balmain Couture Versailles Gown
French, 1973
The empire bodice of self backed nude organdy with bateau neckline and campanulate sleeves richly embroidered overall in arabesques of mirror variform paillettes in turquoise, pink, gold and lavender and further embellished with studs, bugle beads and rhinestones, silk faille sculptural skirt, size 4, labeled: Pierre Balmain/Paris.
Very good condition, minor loose paillettes.
The dress was made for and worn to the celebrated party following the landmark 1973 American Designers Fashion Show at the Palace of Versailles produced by Eleanor Lambert.

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Balmain Couture Coptic Motif Gown
French, circa 1968
In silk and metallic matelasse with rows of stylized symbols in muted tones of sky blue, terra cotta, sand, silver and black, the empire bodice with round neckline, three-quarter length sleeves and inset cummerbund of black velvet with metallic antique gold passementerie, size 4, no label.
Excellent condition.

doylenewyork

 

[iluvjeisa]

These are fantastic designs, thanks all

 

[SomethingElse]

1968 Green silk chiffon and beaded babydoll party dress.

antiquedress.com

 

[La bordélique]

Grace Coddington front row at Pierre Balmain, Paris Haute Couture, Autumn Winter 1977

copyright © 2007 Christopher Moore Limited
catwalking.com

 

[La bordélique]

Balmain Couture at the Balmain Salon Autumn 1971

copyright © 2007 Christopher Moore Limited
catwalking.com

 

[DosViolines]

Pierre Balmain
Evening gown
Cream silk satin and black velvet; net underskirt
Circa 1960, France
The Museum at FIT, 84.103.5, Gift of Mrs. Roger Tuteur

Haute couture was firmly established in the 1950s as the luxury industry par excellence. With an international stature and clientele, it projected a unique visual sumptuousness with expensive materials and quality custom production. Classically, luxury operates through symbols of distinction, asserting values of taste and class refinement. Pierre Balmain evokes the dignity and refinement of a tuxedo by adding a cumberbund to this elegant evening gown, reflecting his observation that “a certain desire to not draw attention mixes with a subtly noticeable concern to be distinctive.”

fitnyc

 

[DosViolines]

A PIERRE BALMAIN BALL GOWN, FRENCH, CIRCA 1955

abelled and numbered 81.819, of cream silk faille inserted with bobbin lace with edging of couched silver thread

sothebys

 

[SomethingElse]

Circa 1960. Approximate size 8. Vintage 1960's designer silk dress with opalescence sequins.

isadoras.com

 

[Luxx]

1949
Model standing in hat and suit-dress, Vogue Pattern # 1054, fabric by Balmain.

Image Credit | Corbis.com

 

[Luxx]

1951
Janine Holland, a 21-year-old 'Maid of Cotton, 1951' of Houston, Texas, is shown in a cotton evening gown designed especially for her by Pierre Balmain. The American Cotton Queen now visiting in Paris is shown with Balmain during the final fitting. The gown is of Charteuse cotton with burgundy colored roses covering one hip.

Image Credit | Corbis.com

 

[DosViolines]

Pierre Balmain Couture Evening Gown, 1960s

whitakerauction

 

[DosViolines]

Balmain Couture Printed Evening Gown, c. 1970

whitakerauction

 

[DosViolines]

Balmain Couture Evening Set, 1970s

whitakerauction

 

[SomethingElse]

Black organza and velvet mini-dress, circa 1968, labelled `Pierre Balmain, Paris' numbered 150815, with large cutwork daisies and spots, the petals formed from rouleaux of organza against a nude chiffon ground, zip fastened to the back.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Strapless Party Dress, Late 1950s.

whitakerauction.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Nice of the auction house to provide a structure image of this piece.

Couture Gown, Spring 1955.

whitakerauction.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Couture Evening Gown, 1960s.

whitakerauction.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Couture Printed Evening Gown, c. 1970.

whitakerauction.com