Vintage Pierre Balmain Florilege Evening Gown Black Sequin Net Dress Size M

This is a stunning vintage evening gown made by the fashion house of Pierre Balmain as part of their prêt-a-porter line “Florilège”. Florilège was introduced in 1952. This dress dates to either the late 50s or early 60s.  It is made in a sleeveless full length style with defined waistline and a skirt that tapers to below the knees and then flairs out to the bottom.  The dress is decorated on black net with black sequins and black beads and embroidered with silk thread, all in a striking ornate design on the front and back.   The net exterior is laid over a pearl white silk base fabric.  The dress does up the left side with a metal zipper and at the left shoulder with two hooks.  The dress is hand finished.

Age: late 1950s / early 1960s

Label: Florilège Balmain Paris / Made in France

Retailer’s label:  Ensemble Shop Eaton’s of Canada.  During the 50s and 60s, Canadian department stores would have a boutique within the store that carried higher end fashion and catered to a wealthy clientele.  After WWII, European markets had dried up due to the devastation suffered from the war, so Paris design houses found export markets, such as Canada.  Canadian retailers would buy haute couture for their customers every season.  The Ensemble Shop was such a boutique within a store and its competitors in Montreal would have been the Salon Vendome at Simpsons, Le Petit Salon at Dupuis Freres and the Fur Salon at Ogilvy’s and Holt Renfrew.

Sizing: Size 12 is indicated, but this is a vintage sizing.  The dress should fit a medium  - please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Shoulders:  17” across the top

Bust:  38” around

Waist: 27” around

Hips:  36” around

Length:  59”, measured flat

Condition: The dress is in very good condition with no signs of pronounced wear, tear or staining - there are some sequins missing to the top swirls on the back, but these could be easily replaced if desired.  This dress looks to have seen little use and was well stored over the years.

This is a beautiful quality dress by a renowned Paris fashion design house -  really stunning, this is sure to be noticed!