Pierre Balmain Couture Ballgown 1955 Iconic Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. see description, good condition according to age.
- Seller Location:Berlin, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2727222797132
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: Berlin, Germany
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Givenchy Haute Couture 1995 Spectacular Silk Evening DressBy GivenchyLocated in Berlin, BEGIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE 1995 gown, numbered archival piece This breathtaking evening gown is a testament to timeless elegance infused with modern sensibility. The dress features a st...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood SS 2020 Cocoon Dress Stunning GownBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Berlin, BEVivienne Westwood SS 2020 Dress New, unworn Cut from beautiful flower jacquard fabric, tailored with voluminous elements and frayed gathered seams for a patchwork effect. The cotton...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Iconic Thierry Mugler Archival SS1989 Les Atlantes Stingray Dress SexyBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Berlin, BEMuseum worthy piece of Fashion History The iconic Thierry Mugler Stingray Dress SS 1989 Collection. Famously worn at the legendary Les Atlantes Runwayshow by Dianne Brill. A Signatu...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Rare Thierry Mugler Black Velvet Archival Evening Dress Dramatic GlamourBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Berlin, BEMuseum worthy piece of Fashion History A fabulous extremely rare Thierry Mugler evening gown. Very beautiful old Hollywood vibes. Assuming FW1986 Collection as the black velvet and c...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Stunning Thierry Mugler Archival FW 1986 Evening Gown Crytsal Black DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Berlin, BEGorgeous extremely rare Iconic Thierry Mugler Evening Dress, FW 1986 Collection Museum worth Collectors Piece The most dramatic evening gown with amazing crystal rhinestone details....Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Thierry Mugler Goddess Dress Archival SS 1988 Sculptural GownBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Berlin, BEStunning rare Thierry Mugler dress, 'African Summer' Spring Summer Collection 1988. A fabulous example of his iconic style, which often played with structure and form to create strik...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1940's Pink Silk Evening Dress Beaded Pearl Floral Dress UK 8 Us 4Located in Cheltenham, GBA beauty to behold. This original 1940's pink silk dress, embellished with trailing silk threaded soutache embroidery depicting blossoming flowers, surrounded by pearlescent beaded d...Category
1940s Unknown Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's yellow sequin beaded cocktail dress wiggle dress UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBThis breathtaking 1960's yellow knitted wool dress, embellished in its entirety with clear iridescent sequins, and finished with floral beaded details in yellow rocaille beads, and i...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Chanel 13P Spring 2013 Wool Tweed Runway Sequins Faux Pearl Dress 38 NewBy ChanelLocated in Merced, CAChanel runway tweed sequins dress from Chanel spring 2013 runway dress adorned with Cc logo buttons and faux pearl.Category
Mid-20th Century French Shift Cocktail Dresses
- EMILIO PUCCI vintage silk long dress 60sBy Emilio PucciLocated in Rubiera, REEmilio Pucci Long pink long dress Vintage 60s Fantasy on pink background; adorned with crystals and beads. Fully hand finished, double lined. 100% silk The size label has been cut. L...Category
1960s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dressLocated in Milano, IT1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dress with wide shawl neckline and low cut back. Rounded high slit in front with fitted long sleeves. Evening dress Size: M Waist: 88 cm Length: 14...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- 1970s Basile Long Velvet Black DressBy BasileLocated in Milano, ITVoluptuous Runway dress, floor length in black silk velvet, V-neck in grosgrain with small collar, Long sleeves. slit opening in the back. with fish tail shaped draping from knee t...Category
1970s North American Evening Gowns