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Exploring Cristóbal Balenciaga's Spring/Summer 1955 Dress at Museo del Traje CIPE

Delve into the intricate craftsmanship, design innovation, and enduring legacy of this pivotal 1950s fashion creation.

This special exhibition at the Museo del Traje CIPE meticulously showcases a unique Cristóbal Balenciaga dress from his Spring/Summer 1955 collection. Visitors can explore the specific model number MT104818, examining its intricate construction, innovative materials, and significant place in fashion history. The display details Balenciaga's design mastery, his pursuit of modernity, and the broader context of haute couture in the 1950s.

About Vestido de Cristóbal Balenciaga, P/V, 1955 at Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Vestido de Cristóbal Balenciaga, P/V, 1955 at Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid

Exhibition summary

This exhibition at the Museo del Traje CIPE showcases a specific Cristóbal Balenciaga dress from the Spring/Summer 1955 collection. The display delves into the dress's construction, materials, historical context, and its significance within Balenciaga's oeuvre and broader fashion history.

Curatorial context

The exhibition focuses on a particular dress, model number MT104818, by the renowned designer Cristóbal Balenciaga from his Spring/Summer 1955 collection. The detailed text explores the dress's construction, including its short, mid-calf length, V-neck, and the unique combination of fabrics and lacework. It discusses Balenciaga's mastery of cut and seam, his use of color and innovative textiles, and his relationship with clients. The piece is analyzed in comparison to other extant examples and its historical context within Balenciaga's work, noting its influences from historical styles like the polonaise and its place within the designer's pursuit of modernity alongside historicism. The text also touches upon the business of haute couture, the reproduction of designs, and the impact of Balenciaga's work on subsequent fashion generations. The displayed dress is part of the 'Modelo del Mes' (Model of the Month) series at the Museo del Traje CIPE. The detailed analysis covers the dress's components, such as the beige cotton taffeta underskirt with hoops and the three tiers of lace, comparing it to the original design with four tiers of lace. It also references Balenciaga's preference for Calais lace and discusses how this specific piece, though possibly a later reproduction or altered version, embodies the designer's characteristic elegance and innovation. The text further contextualizes the dress within the broader fashion trends of 1955, contrasting Balenciaga's designs with those of contemporaries like Christian Dior and highlighting Balenciaga's influence on shaping future silhouettes and styles.

Admission and ticket notes

This exhibit is part of the 'Modelo del Mes' series and is held on Sundays at 12:30 PM for 30 minutes. Attendance is free until full capacity is reached.

Vestido de Cristóbal Balenciaga, P/V, 1955 key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Vestido de Cristóbal Balenciaga, P/V, 1955 at Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid

Venue
Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Information not currently available
Artist line / attribution
Cristóbal Balenciaga (designer of the featured dress), Miquel Martínez i Albero (text author).
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