Tuesday, June 12, 2012

History's Runway: A Balenciaga Evening Outfit, 1959

Evening Ensemble
Balenciaga, 1959
The Cecil Beaton Collection
The Victoria & Albert Museum



This 1959 evening outfit consists of an elegant dress and accessories by Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895 -1972). The sleeveless evening dress is embroidered with silver strips, pastes and sequins and features a low round neck and a long skirt which is gathered at the waist.

The outfit is completed by a matching bag with a square flap and double handles, a handkerchief of lace with the monogram “CFB,” and a pair of court shoes of matching silk with high stiletto heels, pointed toes and paste decorations on the toes. Evening gloves of elasticized satin finish the look. All but the shoes which were made in New York were constructed in Paris by Balenciaga. The group is now part of the Cecil Beaton Collection at the V&A. 





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