Cocktail dress
1967-1968 {autumn-winter 1967–68}
- Medium
- silk (gazar), metal (fastenings)
- Measurements
- 95.0 cm (centre back) 57.0 cm (waist, flat)
- Place/s of Execution
- France
- Accession Number
- 2020.603
- Department
- International Fashion and Textiles
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gift’s Program, 2020
© Balenciaga - Gallery location
- Level 3 foyer
Level 3, NGV International - About this work
-
Cristobal Balenciaga was born in Guetaria, San Sebastian. Learning dressmaking from his mother, in 1915, he established a tailoring business. In 1922, he opened his own fashion house and during the Spanish Civil War moved to Paris where in 1937, established his couture house. Balenciaga quickly earned an international following for his sober daywear and dramatic evening clothes. Balenciaga prided himself on never creating ready-to-wear clothes and rather than see his business compromised he closed the couture house in 1968.