Balenciaga black silk and mesh hat with floral embellishment, c. 1960
View Similar Items
Balenciaga black silk and mesh hat with floral embellishment, c. 1960
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Style:1960's (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14025660071
Balenciaga
Starting as a modest boutique, Balenciaga evolved to transform the landscape of women’s fashion with shapes and contours during the middle of the 20th century that were nothing less than groundbreaking. Today, the brand is as venturesome as ever and is well known for its shoes, handbags, streetwear and other clothing and accessories.
Though he was born in the quiet fishing village of Getaria in Spain’s Basque region, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972) was destined to reshape modern fashion. As a child, he worked alongside his seamstress mother. Showing immense talent, he earned commissions as a teenager from local patron Marquesa de Casa Torres, who paid for his tailoring education in Madrid. In 1917, he established his first haute couture house — named Eisa, for his mother — in the trendy resort town San Sebastián. He soon followed it with boutiques in Madrid and Barcelona, drawing such clientele as the Spanish royal family.
When the Spanish Civil War put a hold on his prospects in Spain, the designer moved to Paris, opening a house on Avenue Georges V in 1937. There, Balenciaga rubbed elbows with fashion greats like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli and quickly won over clients like Gloria Guinness, Pauline de Rothschild and Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. As a couturier, Balenciaga drew from his Spanish heritage for ideas, riffing on everything from matador costumes and flamenco dresses to the paintings of Diego Velázquez, whose portraits of Spanish princesses famously inspired Balenciaga’s Infanta gown.
An expert tailor, he experimented with sculptural silhouettes that didn’t follow the body. Some of his notable designs include the 1953 balloon jacket, and from 1957, the cocoon coat, the baby-doll dress and the sack dress, which he popularized with his good friend designer Hubert de Givenchy. All of these could be considered not just the masterpieces of haute couture, but also objets d’art in their own right, leading to Balenciaga’s nickname, “The Master.”
Balenciaga continued designing until 1968, when he retired after three decades of influential work and his fashion house went dormant. The rights to Balenciaga were acquired by Jacques Bogart S.A. in 1986. Under designer Michel Goma, who focused on ready-to-wear, the brand experienced a resurgence, with his first collection introduced in 1987. The brand returned to high fashion with the arrival of designer Josephus Thimister in 1992. It has since been led by a series of creative directors who have paid homage to Balenciaga’s iconic designs, including Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang and, most recently, Demna Gvasalia. In 2011, a museum celebrating Balenciaga’s legacy opened in his hometown in Spain, commemorating where it all began.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Balenciaga crossbody bags, tote bags, day dresses, shirts and more.
- Yves Saint Laurent black linen cap with extra long organza visor, ss 1991By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBYves Saint Laurent black linen fitted cap with extra long organza visor and buckle fastening. Spring-Summer 1991Category
1990s French Hats
- Vivienne Westwood black velvet and faux fur crown, fw 1987By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black velvet crown with brown faux fur band. Harris Tweed, Fall-Winter 1987Category
1990s British Hats
- Yves Saint Laurent black velvet saucer hat with orange taffeta ribbon, fw 1995By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBYves Saint Laurent black velvet saucer hat with orange silk taffeta ribbon fastening Fall-Winter 1995Category
1990s French Hats
- Vivienne Westwood grey sheepskin topless trapper hat, fw 1994By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood grey sheepskin topless trapper hat Fall-Winter 1994Category
1990s British Hats
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld white and black silk flat cap, ss 2002By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel white and black flat cap ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ 100% Silk ▪ Floral design with 'CC' logos ▪ Size Medium ▪ Spring-Summer 2002Category
Early 2000s French Hats
- Vivienne Westwood veiled raffia boater hat, ss 1988By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood raffia boater hat ▪ Black grosgrain ribbon with bow ▪ Black fishnet veil ▪ Size Medium ▪ Spring-Summer 1988Category
1980s British Hats
- 1960 Christian Dior By Marc Bohan Black Feather & Quill Structured Cocktail HatBy Christian Dior, Marc BohanLocated in Gresham, ORA gorgeous 1960s Christian Dior hat by Marc Bohan: A structured turban-style cocktail hat covered in iridescent blue pheasant feathers is enhanced by cri...Category
1960s French Hats
- Hermes Shearling Lambskin Bucket Hat 59 NewBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Black Shearling bucket hat. Lambskin with stamped abstract black on black design and Shearling inside. Hermes tag ins...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Hats
- Maison Michel Suede Lamb Leather BeretBy Maison MichelLocated in Paris, FRMust-Have. This beret is unisex in smooth suede lamb leather, black in color. In very good used condition. Made In France. Size L. Will be delivered in its transparent box...Category
2010s French Hats
- 1940s Black Persian Lamb Angled Hat and Muff Purse VintageLocated in West Palm Beach, FL1940s Black Persian lamb angled hat and matching muff, hand warmer with zipper compartment at the back. This set will add the finishing touch to your 1940s winter outfit. The hat can...Category
1940s American Muffs
- Vintage Lamb HatLocated in Alford, MAc.1960s lamb hat, constructed of two vertical skins and a cap of long-haired brown fur from Tuscany, Italy. Natural suede underside. Warm and stylish. approxi...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Hats
$275 - 1950 Miss Dior Created By Christian Dior Black Satin Jet Beaded ClocheBy Christian DiorLocated in Gresham, OR1950 Miss Dior black silk satin cloche style hat features delicate black jet beading and jeweled drops . The seaming and construction in design allows for a form fit on the crown . T...Category
1950s American Hats
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.
Vivienne Westwood’s Punk Spirit Lives On in This ’90s Tartan Ensemble
The shorts suit in a mash-up of patterns with an asymmetrical cut speaks to the designer’s rebellious spirit.