1960s Balenciaga Haute Couture Silver Floral Lame Column Dress
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This elegant haute couture gown was created by Cristóbal Balenciaga in the early 1960s, circa 1962. Balenciaga opened his Paris couture house at 10–12 Avenue George V in 1937, where he developed his acclaimed empire-line dresses, balloon skirts and cocoon coats. Among the admirers of his work were Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Bacall, Audrey Hepburn and Ava Gardner.
Original couture pieces from Cristóbal’s lifetime are rare on the open market, with many examples preserved in museum and private collections, and we are delighted to present this gown in such beautiful, wearable condition. Handcrafted from metallic silk lamé, it is patterned with textured florals, vines and foliage in shimmering silver. The sleeveless column silhouette has a curved seam over the bust and a rounded front neckline, with a sensuous V-shaped neckline at the back. The skirt gently flares into a subtle fishtail, finishing with a small train at the rear. Rich cream silk lines the gown throughout, providing a comfortable, luxurious finish. It retains its period haute couture label, which reads “BALENCIAGA 10, AVENUE GEORGE V. PARIS”.
Our editorial reference shows a related Balenciaga evening gown with a strikingly similar silhouette, photographed by Richard Avedon for Harper’s Bazaar in November 1962. The photograph offers a beautiful glimpse of the couturier’s eveningwear of the period.
This is a rare archival survivor by one of the greatest couturiers of the twentieth century. It is in excellent vintage condition, presents beautifully and is wearable with care. There is a small area of staining to the silk lining at the bottom of the train. This affects the lining only: the lamé is unaffected, and the mark is completely unseen when worn. There are no other issues of note and no evidence of later alteration. As a couture-made piece, the gown has no size or composition labels. There is a generous seam allowance at the hem, which could be let down if additional length were required; the existing hem fold is not deeply pressed. We think on sizing, this is best suited to a UK 6-8 or US 2-4 as the hip is slim.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST – 38 in. (97 cm)
WAIST – 30 in. (76 cm)
HIP – 35 in. (89 cm)
LENGTH FRONT – 55.5 in. (141 cm)
LENGTH BACK – 59 in. (150 cm)
F.A.Q.
Where can I find more information about this item?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any item on our site. Please get in touch at shop@circavintage.com or on +44 (0)20 7736 5038.
Will you set anything aside for me for my appointment?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
Do you have a price range at the showroom?
Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
Can I bring anyone with me to my appointment?
Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I have my circa garment altered?
We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
Does Circa have an after-care service?
We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
Can I cancel my appointment?
You are free to cancel but please do give us as much notice as possible.
Where's the Circa showroom?
Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
Do you have parking at the Circa showroom?
We offer free, secure, off-street parking but it is a tight squeeze – so do let us know in advance if you will be needing this and we can make sure that there is space available.
How do I get to the Circa showroom by public transport?
Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
Nine Elms (9 min walk) – Northern Line
Overground:
Wandsworth Road (13 min walk) – Westbound to Clapham Junction / Eastbound to Dalston Junction
What payment methods does Circa accept?
Cash, credit/debit card, bank transfer, contactless, Paypal
What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.