Pierre Balmain -- ...to Lesage

Founded in 1924, the House of Lesage transformed embroidery + beadwork into an art form. Virtually every couturier from Schiaparelli to Valentino has relied on the masterwork of Lesage to adorn their creations -- Pierre Balmain was no exception. Balmain used Lesage embroidery + beading on a multitude of pieces throughout his career, transforming already incredible pieces into true works of wearable art.

1953 embroidered gown, Metropolitan Museum of Art


1953 black velvet Lesage embroidered gown, Sotheby's auction house


Black velvet embellished gown, L'Officiel 1954


Pierre Balmain + his models in Hamburg, 1955


Silk embroidered gown, L'Officiel 1955


Embroidered gown, L'Officiel 1955


Black velvet embroidered holly gown, L'Officiel 1955. The ultimate holiday dress!


Lesage embroidered gown + matching coat, 1955


Lesage embroidered + beaded gown + matching coat, 1955


1956 embroidered gown, Metropolitan Museum of Art


Taglioni Lesage embellished gown, L'Officiel 1955


1955 Taglioni Lesage embellished gown, collection of the Palais Galliera



Entry hall to Les Annees 50: La Mode en France 1947-1957 exhibit at the Palais Galliera, 2014

In 2014, the Palais Galliera, the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris unveiled an exhibition entitled Les Annees 50: La Mode en France 1947-1957. The exhibition explored the "decisive period for French haute couture" + featured a who's who of fashion history. Among the highlights was a spectacular example from Pierre Balmain, a Lesage embroidered velvet gown from A/W 1957 entitled Solveig.

Balmain gowns (including Solveig) at the Les Annees 50 exhibit at the Palais Galliera, 2014


Solveig, Lesage embroidered gown, A/W 1957. From Pierre Balmain: 40 années de création, 1985


Solveig, Lesage embroidered gown, A/W 1957. From Pierre Balmain: 40 années de création, 1985


Solveig excerpt from Pierre Balmain: 40 années de création, 1985

Translation:

Solveig - Fall-Winter 1957-1958 (# 401) short dress of black velvet bodice has decollete - straps and full skirt: Lesage embroidery: light gray silk chenille, blue and white silk, turquoise ribbon, silver wire and beads contain floral garlands used by naiads - Paris, MMC, Palais Galliera, gift of the Society of Costume History - 1983

We are humbled to be able to offer you this rare + heart-stopping Pierre Balmain Solveig couture gown from F/W 1957. A museum worthy find + a true work of fashion art.

As rare as it is gorgeous, our museum worthy (and well documented) A/W 1957 Pierre Balmain haute couture cocktail dress (titled Solveig) will surely be the apple of any collector’s eye. We are so in love with this little frock - even our photos just can’t do it justice! Classic New Look silhouette with strapless sweetheart neckline, nipped waist and full skirt. Jet black silk velvet is the perfect contrasting backdrop for the pale, finely hand embroidered and beaded florals by Maison Lesage. Also includes the most adorable tiered mesh and silk crinoline. Clustered bouquets of delicate silk ribbon embroidery are meshed with pale celadon, metallic silver and ivory embroidered and beaded leaves whilst the tiniest single blooms float whimsically throughout the dress. While looking closely at the embroidery makes us swoon, our favorite part is that each individual flower is its own unique self - no two are exactly alike!

Absolutely pristine condition - truly looks unworn. Please feel free to email for more photos, including interior construction, embroidery details and photos of the crinoline.


Available at http://www.bustownmodern.com or by calling the store at 323.951.0290.

The dress was originally purchased by Marthe Simard, a Canadian politician, a pioneer of international women's rights + a deeply involved member of the Free France resistance movement during WWII. The dress was created for Simard's only daughter Yahne Bastenti + was worn to a soiree in Simard's honor, quite possibly her wedding as she was remarried in 1957. The dress was purchased directly from a family descendent.

Click HERE for part 1 of this blog post, Pierre Balmain -- From Lace...