Dress thumbnail 1
Dress thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Dress

Winter 1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Balenciaga worked on specific ideas from season to season to refine and perfect them. Throughout the 1950s he worked on the lean line known popularly as the 'sack'. This dress is one variation on this theme. It has a slim, semi-fitted outline with a round neck, elbow-length sleeves and a belt. The dress fastens with a zip at the back. This type of dress is simple and supremely elegant. It explains why fellow designers hailed Balenciaga as 'the Master'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Belt
  • Dress
Materials and techniques
Wool bouclé, metal and cotton zip
Brief description
Woollen bouclé dress, Balenciaga, Paris, 1959.
Physical description
Day dress of fine, black, wool bouclé by Balenciaga. The dress has a high, round next and the elbow length sleeves are cut in one piece with the loosely cut bodice. The waistline is at natural level. The skirt is fairly narrow and straight but given a 'peg top' silhouette through a panel of soft gauging at the front and curving pockets at the hips. The facings are of black silk organza and the pocket linings are silk. The hem is silk faced.
The belt is a wide, stiff, self material with a rectangular, single prong covered with self material. The label is stitched inside a skirt seam. The dress fastens at the centre back with a metal and cotton zip. There is a hook at the back of the neck.
Production typeHaute couture
Marks and inscriptions
  • Balenciaga, 10 Avenue George V, Paris (Label; black on white; side seam)
  • 69.937 (Number hand-written on back of label ( - the 3 could be an 8).)
Credit line
Given by Miss Catherine Hunt
Object history
Registered File number: MA/1/H3353

This dress was worn by Martita Hunt, the British actor. Martita Hunt (1900-1969) was a British theatre and film actor, best known for her 1946 performance as Miss Havisham in David Lean's film version of 'Great Expectations'.
Production
Date attributed by Madame Jouve, former Balenciaga archivist
Summary
Balenciaga worked on specific ideas from season to season to refine and perfect them. Throughout the 1950s he worked on the lean line known popularly as the 'sack'. This dress is one variation on this theme. It has a slim, semi-fitted outline with a round neck, elbow-length sleeves and a belt. The dress fastens with a zip at the back. This type of dress is simple and supremely elegant. It explains why fellow designers hailed Balenciaga as 'the Master'.
Bibliographic reference
Mendes, Valerie. Black In Fashion. London: V&A Publications, 1999.
Other number
69.937 - Number on label
Collection
Accession number
T.124&A-1970

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2003
Record URL
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