Suit
In 1952, Balenciaga introduced the first silhouette that fully and successfully challenged the New Look. By the 1950s, there were many who saw post-war Parisian couture as a battle between two creative titans, Dior and Balenciaga. Attempts by Norman Norell and others to launch an unwaisted silhouette in the late 1940s were unsuccessful; Balenciaga alone had the power to propose and impose a thoroughly different profile.
Artwork Details
- Title: Suit
- Design House: House of Balenciaga (French, founded 1937)
- Designer: Cristobal Balenciaga (Spanish, Guetaria, San Sebastian 1895–1972 Javea)
- Date: spring/summer 1952
- Culture: French
- Medium: linen
- Credit Line: Gift of Bettina Ballard, 1958
- Object Number: C.I.58.50.3a–c
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.