Evening ensemble
Design House House of Balenciaga French
Designer Cristobal Balenciaga Spanish
Not on view
This evening dress (a) of white satin embroidered with gold and silver braid, silver beads, and rhinestones, has a huge bronze taffeta sash (b) over the hips and a bow in back forming a slight train. The long matching gloves (c, d) are made of bronze taffeta.
The dress is a strapless sheath with allover embroidery executed in a medallion pattern surrounded by a leafy scroll motif. The top and hem have a wide border of encrusted beads on a lamé ground. The boned bodice, lined with white silk, is seamed to the slim skirt at the waist. The sash has a large bow with fringed streamers, creating the effect of a bustle. The gloves of above-elbow length, with ten buttons, complete the ensemble.
The dress is a couture copy of model 52 from the fall/winter 1950 runway show that was featured in Harper's Bazaar magazine (November 1950, p. 120).
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