{"product_id":"rare-spring-1964-cristobal-balenciaga-haute-couture-pale-mint-green-sculpted-silk-taffeta-dress","title":"Rare Spring 1964 Cristobal Balenciaga Haute Couture Pale Mint Green Sculpted Silk Taffeta Dress","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Shrimpton Couture Archives\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThis is an incredible and very rare Haute Couture dress by house of Balenciaga. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMade under the creative direction of Cristobal Balenciaga\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIt is completely made by hand and would have been made in his Paris atelier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThis particular mint green silk was used in both the Spring 1963 collection and the Spring 1964 collection. We did find a reference photo of a skirted ensemble that has a similar feel to this one from 1963 and have included it for reference and so you can get an idea of the shape of the skirt. However, I have been in contact with one of the archivists at Balenciaga and she is certain that this one is from Spring 1964. They are unable to share photos that I can share from their archive but I do have the conversation that verifies this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe dress is insanely beautiful. There is the slightest bit of  wear to some of the edges and where that has happened you can see that there is a yellow part of the fabric that is used underneath the top green weave to create this particular shade of pastel green. It is magical.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWide straps curve up and over the shoulders and the neck is scooped wide across at the front.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe dress is made from ten panels that are perfectly pieced together length wise. Each panel has been specifically shaped to create the curving sculptural feel that the dress has. His ability to shape and sculpt fabric at this level is one of his hallmarks and reason that he is noted as being one of the greatest couturiers to have ever lived. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe back scoops down lower that the front for a little bit of skin to show. The dress glides over you from shoulder to hem. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFour vertical panels create the front portion of the dress and then the remaining six are all set at the back. This gives the dress its phenomenal extra volume at the back. It curves down and is cut slightly longer at the back for a bit of a sweeping feel behind you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eInside it is lined with a double layer of a silk organza and this allows you to clearly see all of the beautiful inner seams. The inside is almost as beautiful as the outside.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThree hooks close the top of one shoulder strap and then there is a hand set zipper at one side. There is a little strap on the inner back to hold your bra strap in place and all of the edges have been ribbon finished by hand. It is just a joy to see a piece fully made by hand to this level.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIt has its proper Haute Couture label and numbered tape in place behind the Balenciaga label.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe dress has no size tag so please go by the measurements listed below.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThere is the tiniest bit of stress to the fabric along the edges here and there. With a piece this important I would call this extremely minor but mentioned for accuracy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p2\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eExcellent condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBust: 17.5\" flat across from side seam to side seam\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 13\" flat across from side seam to side seam\u003cbr\u003eHips: to 23\" flat across from side seam to side seam\u003cbr\u003eTotal length: 54\" from top of shoulder to front hem, 56\" to the back. There is 2.5\" turned under the hem but I think if you let it down, you would see where the edge was.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eModern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eReference Photo: Spring 1963 Balenciaga Haute Couture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shrimpton Couture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51289196757276,"sku":"","price":18000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0243\/7483\/files\/exclusive1_688a3980-c0e9-4f90-aaef-e6e5323ab956.jpg?v=1771448530","url":"https:\/\/www.shrimptoncouture.com\/products\/rare-spring-1964-cristobal-balenciaga-haute-couture-pale-mint-green-sculpted-silk-taffeta-dress","provider":"Shrimpton Couture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}