Dress
Brand
Balenciaga
(French, founded 1937)
Designer
Cristóbal Balenciaga
(1895 - 1972)
1950
Silk taffeta and cut velvet
Gift of Jerome Zipkin
Object number86.142.5
The Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga was instrumental in bringing the flamenco dancer’s ruffled dress into fashion. This dress was made in his couture house in Paris, where he served an international clientele.
DescriptionCocktail dress in black coup de velours silk taffeta woven with large grey, tan and brown velvet dots; one button semi fitted surplice bodice with wide pointed revers, fitted with front and back waist darts, 7/8 length kimono sleeve with diamond underarm gusset; fitted A-line skirt with 8 triangular gussets above wide unpressed asymmetrical hem ruffle; partial left underskirt; left side zipper; coutureCollections
Exhibitions