Evening dress

Physical description

Evening dress of bright pink gazar and lined with pink silk. It is full length and strapless with a waisted, boned foundation. It is a fitted sheath to mid-thigh, slightly shorter in the front and curving to a soft V shape at the back. It has three deep flounces from bodice to hem, a centre back zip fastening and a narrow train attached to the foundation and the centre back waist.

Place of Origin

Paris, France (made)

Date

February 1961 (made)

Artist/maker

Cristóbal Balenciaga, born 1895 - died 1972 (designer)

Materials and Techniques

Gazar, lined with silk, boned

Marks and inscriptions

'Balenciaga, 10 Avenue George V, Paris'
76993

Object history note

Worn by Mrs Stavros Niarchos

Historical context note

Niarchos was a direct rival to Aristotle Onassis, and the ship-owners' rivalry continued into their private lives, and after Eugenia passed away, he married her sister Tina Onassis, who was also Aristotle's ex wife. At the head of a 4 billion dollar fortune, the rich ship-owner prided himself on having married five times in the course of his life.

Descriptive line

Gazar evening dress, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, February 1961.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Cecil Beaton, Fashion: an anthology (London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1971)
Beaton catalogue no. 17

Exhibition History

Cecil Beaton, Fashion: an anthology , 1971) (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1971-31/12/1971)
Balenciaga and Spain (de Young Fine Arts Museum, San Francisco 26/03/2011-04/07/2011)

Associated names

Cecil Beaton; Niarchos, Stavros

Materials

Silk; Gazar

Techniques

Weaving

Categories

Clothing; Fashion; Evening wear

Production Type

Haute couture

Collection code

T&F