1961 Eisa Balenciaga Haute Couture Black Silk Sculpted Bow Cut-Out Dress

A gorgeous Balenciaga Eisa textured black silk cut-out cocktail dress from his 1961 haute couture collection. Cristobal Balenciaga began his life's work in fashion at a very young age. It is fabled that the Marquesa de Casa Torres, who was so taken with his talent, sent him to Madrid for formal training in tailoring when he was just a teenager. Balenciaga's designs were more often than not, linear and streamlined. While Fath and Dior produced curvy confections know as "The New Look", Balenciaga created forms that hovered around the body in fluid lines. Balenciaga achieved what is considered to be his most important contribution to the world of fashion: a new silhouette for women. During the Spanish Civil War his Eisa stores were closed, but when the war ended, in 1939, they reopened. Eisa was a profitable business for the designer because this label had loyal customers from the Spanish aristocracy and from American customers. Balenciaga himself managed Eisa with the help of his assistants until it closed in 1968. This sculpted cocktail dress is a wonderful example of his genius. Fashioned from the highest quality floral patterned silk, it has a timeless appeal that doesn't age. The garment is tailored with an expert eye that understands how to use cut-outs and weights to achieve a blousy yet ultra flattering bodice. I adore the nipped-waist bow detail. The pencil skirting skims the hips and ends at a true cocktail length. The dress is refined, graceful and has true couture workmanship. Though the result was seemingly simple, the construction is quite complicated. Museum quality.

Measurements
Bust: 38-39 inches
Waist: 29 inches
Hips: 41 inches
Total Length: 44 inches

This stunning Balenciaga Eisa Haute Couture dress is in excellent condition with no rips, stains or holes. The garment is all hand-finished with perfectly working hand-set metal zipper. Highly wearable and an investment piece that will continue to increase in value.