{"product_id":"1960s-balenciaga-silver-floral-lame-column-dress","title":"1960s Balenciaga Haute Couture Silver Floral Lame Column Dress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMEASUREMENTS  \u003cbr\u003eBUST – 38 in. (97 cm)  \u003cbr\u003eWAIST – 30 in. (76 cm)  \u003cbr\u003eHIP – 35 in. (89 cm)  \u003cbr\u003eLENGTH FRONT – 55.5 in. (141 cm)  \u003cbr\u003eLENGTH BACK – 59 in. (150 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CIRCA VINTAGE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57515282727290,"sku":"CIR-DRS-162697290","price":10000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0398\/5978\/1798\/files\/1960s_Balenciaga_Silver_Floral_Lame_Column_Dress_3.jpg?v=1792666534","url":"https:\/\/www.circavintage.com\/ar\/products\/1960s-balenciaga-silver-floral-lame-column-dress","provider":"CIRCA VINTAGE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}