Cocktail dress
1967-1968
autumn-winter 1967–68
Medium
silk (gazar), metal (fastenings)
Measurements
95.0 cm (centre back) 57.0 cm (waist, flat)
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
Not on display
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.