1950s Balenciaga Haute Couture Black Velvet Jewel Toque Hat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Boca Raton, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73014371302
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, sneakers, 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Boca Raton, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 1960s Midnight Paillette Sequin Wool Hat and Sleeveless Sweater SetLocated in Boca Raton, FLThis vintage wool sweater shimmers and steals through the dark of nightlife. Made with a 100% navy wool knit base, both sweater and hat feature co...Category
1960s Hong Kong Sweaters
- Heart HeadpieceBy BashaLocated in Boca Raton, FLSculptural heart headband. Handmade with Swarovski crystal beads in hues of royal blue, emerald green and jet black.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Hats
- Lanvin Alber Elbaz Black Sun Hat Navy Ribbon Band, 2006By Lanvin ParisLocated in Boca Raton, FLAfter serving as creative director for several other prominent fashion houses such as Guy Laroche, Alber Elbaz led the House of Lanvin from 2001-2015, a decade and a half in which ma...Category
Early 2000s French Hats
- Givenchy Amethyst Purple Velvet Bumper Hat, 1970sBy GivenchyLocated in Boca Raton, FLVintage Givenchy Boutique Purple Silk Velvet hat. The hat is structured with a rolled brim and an elastic chin strap. Fully lined and fitted with a gr...Category
1970s French Hats
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Glossy Black Straw Hat, 1980sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Boca Raton, FLYves Saint Laurent was a classic designer who always seemed to transform fashion history into fashion news. While fashionable hats had largely receded from the fashion scene by the 1...Category
1980s French Hats
- Balenciaga Black Faux Patent Leather Hat Resort 2014By BalenciagaLocated in Boca Raton, FLThe Resort 2014 collection was an homage to Balenciaga’s roots. Creative director Alexander Wang refreshed the signature Balenciaga shapes and silhouettes ...Category
2010s French Hats
- 1940s Black Toy Hat with Flowers and Feathered BirdsLocated in San Francisco, CA1940s black beaver fur felt toy hat decorated with handmade linen flowers, oil cloth leaves, and white feathers birds on each side. The interior has a sec...Category
1940s Hats
- 1960s I. Magnin Black Silk Fashion Pillbox HatBy I. MagninLocated in San Francisco, CA1960 black silk fashion pillbox hat with hand sculpted enlarged bow finished with a rhinestone accent.Category
1960s Hats
- 1930s Art Deco Rust Soutache Skull Cap with Black TasselsLocated in San Francisco, CA1930s Art Deco rust-colored intricate soutache skull cap with black buttons and tasselsCategory
1930s Hats
- 1960s Christian Dior Navy Blue Straw and Tulle TurbanBy Christian DiorLocated in Gresham, ORA beautiful 1960s navy blue straw and tulle Christian Dior turban.Category
1960s French Hats
- 1930s Black Sculpted Cocktail Hat with Satin Bows and NetLocated in San Francisco, CA1930s black sculpted hat with light pink and black satin bows adorned with wired hoops. The veil covers the eyes and nose.Category
1930s Hats
- 1930s/1940s Black Cossack Hat with Sous-tâche EmbroideryLocated in San Francisco, CALate 1930s to early 1940s black sculpted wool felt cossack/perch hat featuring a silk and gold metallic sous-tâche embroidery. Avant-garde design with detailing on two-thirds of the ...Category
1930s Hats